Germany changes course on plans to buy MQ-28 drone wingman: Boeing official

BELFAST — The German Ministry of Defence has formally notified Boeing that it will not be directly procuring the company’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone wingman, as Berlin readjusts plans for a lucrative Collaborative Combat Aircraft procurement.

A spokesperson for the US giant told Breaking Defense today that the ministry had “informed” the company of the move to abandon the aircraft purchase. Berlin’s decision was first reported by Politico.

The Boeing spokesperson deferred comments on why the German Ministry of Defence had ended the Ghost Bat acquisition plan to the ministry.

In a statement to Breaking Defense, a German Ministry of Defence spokesperson said that based on a “matter of principle—and regardless of the specific case in question—we cannot provide information regarding potential procurement projects.”

The spokesperson added, “This is due to regulations concerning procurement and public contracting law, as well as the requirement that such matters first be addressed by parliament.”

The new wingmen will fly alongside fighter jets and carry out strike missions. Germany has set a target of 2029 to field them, which would make it the first European country to reach such a milestone, but that timeline now looks to be in doubt. Politico stated that Berlin will wait until the early 2030s for the capability to arrive, with aircraft tests starting in 2027. The tests are a chance for other competitors and Boeing to fight to be selected for the CCA acquisition.

The Boeing spokesperson explained that the company “stands ready to support” its German customer on next steps.

A host of other airframers are likely to offer their wares, including Germany’s Helsing, pitching the CA-1 Europa. The CCA, according to the firm, is due to be ready for operations by 2029.

Under a partnership between Airbus and US manufacturer Kratos, the U740-Valkyrie is also set to compete to be Germany’s CCA. First flight of the wingman drone was announced on Monday.

“This key milestone confirms that Airbus and Kratos are on track to deliver a combat-ready uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2029, addressing the operational requirements of the German and other European Armed Forces,” said the European prime, in a statement at the time.

Further afield, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems could also offer a wingman from its Gambit family. “We have certainly spoken to Germany many, many times about our CCA and what there is to offer,” company spokesperson C. Mark Brinkely told Breaking Defense in June.