Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Become the Focus of European Defense Concerns

Reference News Network, June 20 report According to a Reuters report on June 16, the "loyal wingman" drone took center stage at last week's Berlin International Aerospace Exhibition. The purpose of designing this new generation of European defense weapon is to accompany fighter jets.

As the war in Ukraine highlights the increasingly important role of drones and electronic warfare, defense forces in Europe and the United States are rapidly developing their own artificial intelligence drones to assist fighter jets and carry more sensors, jammers, and weapons.

In Berlin, Airbus, Boeing, Hensoldt, and General Atomics attempted to market their latest technologies to the German military and other parties.

The "loyal wingman" drones are referred to as collaborative combat aircraft, varying in size from small interceptors to conventional aircraft. They fly based on the so-called "Loyal Wingman" system, providing protection to manned aircraft from the flanks.

The investment in drones coincides with Europe's debate on building its own defense industry and reducing dependence on the United States.

Stefanie Lingemann, head of the airspace division at German defense startup Hensoldt, told reporters at the airshow: "Of course, as the brain of these systems, the artificial intelligence must be controlled in a sovereign manner."

Germany and France have shelved their joint fighter jet program this month but are now seeking to salvage parts of future air combat systems by developing related drone systems and data networks.

Hensoldt stated that its electronic attack drones are designed to operate in autonomous swarms in coordination with attack drones.

Amy Lister, managing director of Boeing's Australia division, stated that the MQ-28 "Ghost Bat" loyal wingman developed by the company is an unmanned jet designed to "enhance combat capabilities and serve as a force multiplier for manned platforms."

Lister told reporters: "It can fly ahead of manned platforms, providing situational awareness, analyzing data, integrating that data, and feeding back decision-quality information to humans."

For now, the "loyal wingman" drones or aircraft have not yet been deployed in combat. Boeing claims that its "loyal wingman" drones could be in service with the German Air Force by 2029, while Airbus states that its U760 "Raven Storm" will not be operational until the 2030s.

According to a report from Germany's Der Spiegel website on June 16, the role of drones in military conflicts is becoming increasingly important—according to German Defense Minister Pistorius's plan, the Bundeswehr should strengthen its drone defense capabilities. He announced a large-scale investment during a troop inspection in the Friesland region, stating, "We will launch a drone action plan in the coming days." This plan includes a series of measures that will be implemented.

He said: "This means that we will invest about 16 billion euros in this field before the end of this decade."

Pistorius hopes to equip the Bundeswehr with drones for reconnaissance, combat, and defense, and plans to introduce drones into the troops "in a highly strategic and targeted manner."

Pistorius visited the "Friesland" target protection battalion stationed at Upjever Air Base with Bundeswehr Chief of Staff Carsten Breuer. This base houses a rapid response unit responsible for drone defense. The Air Force will become the first branch of the military equipped with such units by April 2025. According to the Air Force, this drone unit is now combat-capable and has proven its capabilities in multiple operations and exercises.

According to Pistorius, starting in July, all branches of the Bundeswehr will have such drone units.

Breuer stated that drones and drone defense capabilities represent a new dimension in warfare, and every soldier must master this technology. (Translated by Jiao Yu and Tu Qi)