Germany orders 8 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones to boost P-8A missions

BELFAST — Germany has placed an order for eight General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones with deliveries set to begin in 2028.

The German Armed Forces made the announcement on Monday stating, “the navy needs to know what is happening at sea” in order to protect sea lanes and critical infrastructure.

“For this purpose, the German naval forces use aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and soon the MQ-9B drones” added Berlin. “This allows them to cover the largest possible sea areas, for example in the North Atlantic or the Baltic Sea.” The announcement did not disclose a contract value for the aircraft.

Berlin further stressed the compatibility of manned and unmanned teaming missions between the Poseidon and SeaGuardian. “While the P-8A reaches a speed of approximately 900 kilometers per hour and has a high capacity for sensors and weapons, the MQ-9B can remain airborne for extended periods.”

In a related company statement, GA-ASI said that the SeaGuardian procurement will be made through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and includes four “Certifiable Ground Control Stations.”

It added that Germany “joins a growing list of NATO countries that have selected GA-ASI’s advanced MQ-9B RPA for its multi-domain capabilities with exceptionally long range and endurance. The platform provides pole-to-pole satellite control and de-icing capabilities to enable missions in cold climates.”

As mentioned by Berlin, the new fleet and ground control stations will be operated by Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin” at Nordholz naval station in Saxony. Ahead of entry to service personnel will first need to be trained and “necessary infrastructure” introduced at the base, noted the German Armed Forces statement.

The new fleet will also “draw on the experience of allied armed forces — such as the British or the Belgians — to ensure the smoothest possible start to flight operations.”

The UK Royal Air Force has invested in 16 GA-ASI SkyGuardian aircraft, designated Protector in British service, to replace retired MQ-9 Reapers. Belgium has ordered four SkyGuardian aircraft, a first of which made its maiden flight in September 2025.