> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.warfaredecoded.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Germany Drops Direct MQ-28 Ghost Bat Purchase as Drone Wingman Competition Expands - URL: https://www.warfaredecoded.com/germany-drops-direct-mq-28-ghost-bat-purchase-as-drone-wingman-competition-expands/ - Published: 2026-10-17T14:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-17T14:29:59.000Z - Author: Kevin Macmellon Germany has changed course on its plans to acquire Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft, adding uncertainty to a European race to develop drone wingmen for future fighter operations. According to a [Breaking Defense report published on October 16, 2026](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/germany-changes-course-on-plans-to-buy-mq-28-drone-wingman-boeing-official/?ref=warfaredecoded.com), Germany’s Ministry of Defence informed Boeing that it would not directly procure the MQ-28\. The report cites a Boeing spokesperson who confirmed that the company had received notification of the decision. The German government did not publicly explain the specific reasons for the reported change. Its defence ministry said it could not comment on potential procurement projects because of public procurement regulations and parliamentary procedures. The decision does not necessarily mean Germany has abandoned its wider ambition to introduce collaborative combat aircraft. Instead, Berlin appears to be reassessing how it will select and acquire an uncrewed aircraft capable of operating alongside manned fighter jets. ## Why Germany Was Interested in the MQ-28 Ghost Bat The [MQ-28 Ghost Bat](https://www.boeing.com/defense/autonomous-systems/mq-28?ref=warfaredecoded.com) is an Australian-developed uncrewed aircraft designed to work alongside crewed military aircraft. Developed by Boeing Australia, it is intended to support missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare and combat operations. In Germany, Boeing partnered with defence company Rheinmetall to offer the Ghost Bat to the Bundeswehr. Their proposal aimed to provide a relatively mature platform that could be adapted to German requirements, including the integration of national sensors, weapons and mission software. In an [announcement published by Rheinmetall in March 2026](https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/Presse/News/Documents/2026/03/2026-03-31-Rheinmetall-and-Boeing-partner-on-German-MQ-28-Ghost-Bat.pdf?ref=warfaredecoded.com), the companies described the MQ-28 as a solution they intended to offer for Germany’s planned CCA capability. The partnership was designed to combine Boeing’s aircraft with Rheinmetall’s German integration and support expertise. However, an industry proposal is not the same as a signed procurement contract. Germany’s reported decision means Boeing will not receive the direct purchase it had been pursuing, although the company has said it remains ready to support the German customer on next steps. ## Germany’s Drone Wingman Programme Remains Open Germany has been working towards introducing collaborative combat aircraft to strengthen the capabilities of its future air force. The aircraft are expected to operate alongside fighter jets and potentially undertake missions involving surveillance, electronic warfare and strikes. The reported procurement change could open more opportunities for competing manufacturers. According to Breaking Defense, Berlin’s revised approach could push the arrival of the capability towards the early 2030s, with flight testing expected to begin in 2027. Germany’s challenge is not simply choosing an aircraft. It must also determine how the uncrewed platform will communicate with crewed fighters, process mission information, integrate weapons, and operate within the wider command-and-control system. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1e/44/1e448b0d-1e44-4bbb-bad8-c4da165a2995/content/images/2026/10/MQ-28-Ghost-Bat-at-Avalon-Airshow-2023.png) Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft displayed at the 2023 Avalon Airshow in Australia. (Photo: HoHo3143 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0) ## Airbus and Kratos Offer the Valkyrie Alternative One potential competitor is the uncrewed aircraft based on Kratos Defense’s XQ-58A Valkyrie, which Airbus and Kratos are developing for European requirements. The partnership aims to combine the US-built airframe with Airbus-developed mission systems. This approach could allow Germany to use an existing aircraft design while retaining greater European control over important mission functions. In an [October 12, 2026, Reuters report](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-tests-valkyrie-drone-europe-plans-2029-combat-readiness-2026-10-12/?ref=warfaredecoded.com), Airbus confirmed a test flight of the Valkyrie in Europe. The company said the aircraft was expected to receive its European-designed mission system during a subsequent test flight, with integration alongside Eurofighter jets planned for a later stage. The programme is therefore another contender in Germany’s search for a collaborative combat aircraft. However, the reported flight-testing progress does not establish that the platform has been selected by the German government. ## What the Decision Means for Boeing The reported change is a setback for Boeing’s effort to secure a German customer for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. A German procurement would have offered the programme an opportunity to expand beyond its Australian origins and strengthen its position in the European defence market. Boeing has invested in developing the Ghost Bat as a collaborative combat aircraft for Australia and potential international customers. Germany was an important prospect because of its plans to modernise its air force and introduce uncrewed systems that can operate alongside advanced fighter aircraft. Nevertheless, the loss of a direct German purchase does not automatically end the MQ-28’s international prospects. Boeing may continue to pursue other customers, and Germany’s future requirements could still create opportunities for industry proposals in a revised form. For Berlin, the immediate priority is to determine which system best meets its military requirements and how quickly it can be introduced into service. ## Germany’s Next Decision Will Shape Its Future Air Combat Capability Germany’s reported decision to step away from a direct MQ-28 purchase highlights the uncertainty surrounding the emerging market for collaborative combat aircraft. Several manufacturers are competing to provide uncrewed platforms that can extend the reach and flexibility of traditional fighter forces. The Ghost Bat, the Airbus-Kratos Valkyrie and other proposed systems offer different approaches to aircraft design, mission integration and industrial participation. Their capabilities and readiness will need to be assessed against Germany’s operational requirements. For now, Berlin has reportedly ended its direct procurement path for the MQ-28, but the broader contest to supply Germany with a drone wingman remains unresolved. The next stages of the selection process will determine which platform, if any, becomes part of the German Air Force’s future combat fleet. **Sources:** [Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/germany-changes-course-on-plans-to-buy-mq-28-drone-wingman-boeing-official/?ref=warfaredecoded.com), [Boeing](https://www.boeing.com/defense/autonomous-systems/mq-28?ref=warfaredecoded.com), [Rheinmetall](https://www.rheinmetall.com/Rheinmetall%20Group/Presse/News/Documents/2026/03/2026-03-31-Rheinmetall-and-Boeing-partner-on-German-MQ-28-Ghost-Bat.pdf?ref=warfaredecoded.com), and [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/airbus-tests-valkyrie-drone-europe-plans-2029-combat-readiness-2026-10-12/?ref=warfaredecoded.com). Author: Kevin Macmellon