Boeing has strengthened its campaign to bring the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Germany by expanding its local industry team. The company has added Diehl Defence and Rohde & Schwarz alongside strategic partner Rheinmetall, deepening the program’s industrial footprint and reinforcing its bid to support future Luftwaffe requirements.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement, made during the Internationale Luft- und Raumfahrtausstellung (ILA) Berlin air show in Schönefeld near Berlin Brandenburg Airport, marks another milestone for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat program, Boeing’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) platform developed by Boeing Defence Australia.
By bringing together some of Germany’s most prominent defence and technology companies, Boeing is building a coalition designed to align the Australian-developed autonomous aircraft with Germany’s operational, industrial, and technological priorities. The expanded partnership signals Boeing’s intent to localise capabilities, integrate German technologies, and create a framework that could support future air combat requirements while strengthening sovereign defence capabilities.
BOEING BUILDS MOMENTUM BEHIND MQ-28 GHOST BAT IN EUROPE
As militaries worldwide accelerate investments in autonomous and collaborative combat systems, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat has emerged as one of the most closely watched programs in the evolving airpower landscape.
Originally developed in Australia, the aircraft was designed to operate alongside crewed platforms, extending mission reach, enhancing survivability, and delivering force-multiplication effects in contested environments.
Now Boeing is positioning the platform for Germany, one of Europe’s most influential defence markets. Diehl Defence and Rohde & Schwarz join the MQ-28 industry team, reflecting Boeing’s strategy of combining Australian innovation with German industrial expertise. Together with Rheinmetall, the partners will contribute technologies, systems integration, communications infrastructure, and weapons expertise to tailor the platform to German national requirements.
The move also underscores a broader trend shaping defence procurement across Europe: nations increasingly want advanced capabilities backed by domestic industrial participation and local technology integration. For Boeing, expanding the German team is not simply about securing a future program opportunity—it is about building an industrial ecosystem to support the aircraft throughout its lifecycle.
RHEINMETALL TAKES LEAD ROLE IN GERMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION
Central to Boeing’s German strategy is Rheinmetall, which has been designated as the systems integration partner for German technologies on the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.
As one of Germany’s largest defence companies and a key supplier to the Bundeswehr, Rheinmetall will play a pivotal role in ensuring the aircraft can seamlessly connect with existing and future German military systems. The company’s responsibilities include overseeing integration efforts that allow the autonomous aircraft to operate effectively within Germany’s defence architecture.
Armin Papperger, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall, emphasised the significance of the collaboration and the company’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
“We are grateful to be acting as a strategic partner to Boeing on this programme,” Papperger said.
“As Germany’s leading supplier to the armed forces, we are taking responsibility within the Ghost Bat Germany team for the seamless integration of this autonomous combat drone into the Bundeswehr’s systems.”
He added that Rheinmetall’s industrial capabilities and systems management expertise would help ensure that technological value creation remains rooted in Germany.
“As a reliable systems manager with a strong industrial base, we guarantee expert support and technological value creation in Germany. Through this strong alliance, we are strengthening next-generation air defence.”
The partnership gives Boeing access to a trusted domestic defence champion while providing German stakeholders with confidence that the platform can be adapted to national operational requirements.
DIEHL DEFENCE BRINGS WEAPONS INTEGRATION EXPERTISE
A major component of the expanded industry team is Diehl Defence, one of Germany’s leading defence technology companies and a recognised specialist in guided missiles and precision weapons.
Under the partnership, Diehl Defence will explore integration opportunities for weapons and provide technical support for the MQ-28 platform. Its responsibilities are expected to include integrating German-made weapons onto the aircraft when directed by the customer, providing technical data and product support, delivering training, and contributing software components that support air combat chains.
The company’s involvement could become particularly important as military operators increasingly seek platforms capable of carrying a range of national weapons systems while maintaining interoperability with allied forces. Helmut Rauch, Chief Executive Officer of Diehl Defence, highlighted the company’s enthusiasm for joining the initiative.
“At Diehl Defence, we are excited to join the Team Ghost Bat Germany, led by Boeing Australia, on the approach to offer the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) MQ-28 to our home country customer,” Rauch said.
“We are keen to contribute our expertise, especially in the field of air-to-ground weapons and guided missiles, as part of the solution for the current and upcoming challenges and requirements of the German armed forces.”
The inclusion of Diehl Defence provides Boeing with a pathway to leverage established German weapons technologies while potentially increasing the platform’s attractiveness to domestic defence planners.
“The MQ-28 Ghost Bat represents a new generation of military aviation capability. Developed as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the platform is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters and other assets, acting as a force multiplier that extends mission effectiveness while reducing risks to human pilots”
ROHDE & SCHWARZ STRENGTHENS COMMUNICATIONS AND MISSION SYSTEMS CAPABILITIES
Another significant addition to the MQ-28 Ghost Bat team is Rohde & Schwarz, a company widely recognised for its expertise in communications, electronic systems, and defence technology.
The company will focus on mission-system integration and communications capabilities, helping ensure the MQ-28 can effectively connect with Bundeswehr command structures and weapon systems. Its role includes supporting the integration of communications networks, adapting systems to meet German requirements, and providing operational, maintenance, and logistical support.
In modern military operations, communications architecture is increasingly viewed as a decisive capability. Autonomous systems must exchange data rapidly, securely, and reliably across multiple domains, making communications integration a critical success factor.
Andreas Domann, Vice President of Multidomain Directional Communications Systems Business at Rohde & Schwarz, underscored the importance of secure connectivity for future airpower concepts.
“Rohde & Schwarz is committed to supporting secure, resilient, and interoperable communications for future airpower concepts, providing broadband access to the combat cloud with the breakthrough Networked Multipoint Array Communications System (NEMACS),” Domann said.
“Through this MoU, we look forward to exploring with Boeing how our expertise in communications, data exchange, and mission systems could contribute to future Collaborative Combat Aircraft requirements, including potential MQ-28 opportunities in Germany and Europe.”
The partnership reflects the growing importance of digital connectivity in next-generation combat aviation, where information superiority can be as critical as traditional kinetic capabilities.
BOEING TARGETS LUFTWAFFE OPPORTUNITY BY 2029
The expanded team aligns with Boeing’s ambition to deliver the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) by 2029. Amy List, Vice President and Managing Director of Boeing Defence Australia, described the collaboration as a blend of Australian innovation and German industrial expertise.
“We’re bringing together the best of Australian and German innovation to be able to deliver the MQ-28 to the Luftwaffe by 2029,” List said.
“Welcoming Diehl Defence and Rohde & Schwarz to our team is a significant step forward — together, we’ll collaborate closely on development, testing, delivery and support to ensure maximum flexibility and German customisation of this Australian-developed platform.”
Her comments highlight a key element of Boeing’s approach: customisation. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, Boeing is seeking to create a platform adaptable to Germany’s unique operational requirements, weapons inventories, communications systems, and mission concepts. This strategy mirrors broader defence procurement trends, where national customisation often plays a crucial role in acquisition decisions.
WHY THE MQ-28 GHOST BAT MATTERS
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat represents a new generation of military aviation capability. Developed as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the platform is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters and other assets, acting as a force multiplier that extends mission effectiveness while reducing risks to human pilots.
Unlike traditional unmanned aircraft, which are primarily focused on surveillance missions, collaborative combat aircraft are envisioned as active participants in combat operations. Potential mission sets include intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, strike support, sensor extension, and communications relay functions.
By operating as a loyal wingman-type platform, the aircraft can support crewed fighters, increase operational flexibility, and provide commanders with additional options in contested environments. As air forces prepare for increasingly complex threat environments, collaborative combat aircraft are becoming central to future force structures. Germany’s interest in next-generation air combat capabilities aligns with broader NATO efforts to modernise fleets and integrate autonomous systems into military operations.
A STRATEGIC BLEND OF AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION AND GERMAN INDUSTRY
The MQ-28 program has already become a notable example of international defence collaboration. Developed by Boeing Defence Australia, the platform reflects Australia’s growing role as an innovator in advanced aerospace and defence technologies.
By expanding the German industry team, Boeing is effectively creating a bridge between Australian engineering expertise and German industrial strength. The approach offers several advantages. For Germany, it creates opportunities for domestic participation, technology integration, and local economic value creation. For Boeing, it strengthens the platform’s competitiveness by embedding national capabilities directly into the program.
For partner companies such as Rheinmetall, Diehl Defence, and Rohde & Schwarz, the initiative opens the door to participation in one of the most significant emerging categories in military aviation. The result is a partnership structure designed to support long-term growth rather than a simple supplier arrangement.
EUROPE’S COLLABORATIVE COMBAT AIRCRAFT MARKET GAINS ATTENTION
The timing of Boeing’s announcement is significant. Across Europe, governments are increasing defence spending and investing heavily in advanced technologies that can enhance readiness and operational effectiveness.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft have become a major area of interest as air forces seek ways to maximise capability while managing costs and operational risks. Programs involving autonomous and semi-autonomous systems are increasingly viewed as essential components of future airpower. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat enters this environment as one of the most mature platforms in the category.
By establishing a robust German industrial team early, Boeing is positioning itself to compete effectively in a market where domestic industrial participation often carries substantial weight.
The company’s approach also reflects recognition that future defence programs will depend not only on technological performance but also on industrial partnerships, sovereign capability development, and long-term support frameworks.
INDUSTRIAL VALUE CREATION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
Beyond its military capabilities, the Ghost Bat initiative has important industrial implications. The involvement of leading German defence and technology companies creates opportunities for knowledge sharing, technology development, and domestic economic activity.
Rheinmetall’s emphasis on technological value creation in Germany illustrates the growing importance governments place on retaining critical defence expertise within national borders.
Local participation can generate skilled employment, strengthen supply chains, and support innovation across the broader aerospace and defence sector. For Boeing, establishing a strong domestic partner network may also help accelerate integration, certification, support, and sustainment activities if the platform progresses toward operational adoption.
BOEING’S BROADER DEFENSE VISION
The Ghost Bat announcement also reinforces Boeing’s position as a global aerospace and defence leader. The company develops, manufactures, and supports commercial aircraft, defence products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
As one of the largest U.S. exporters, Boeing maintains a global workforce and supplier network that supports innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability, and community impact. The company continues to emphasise its core values of safety, quality, and integrity while expanding partnerships that strengthen international defence cooperation.
The MQ-28 initiative represents another example of Boeing’s effort to combine global expertise with local industrial participation to meet evolving customer needs.
With Rheinmetall, Diehl Defence, and Rohde & Schwarz now formally aligned with the MQ-28 Ghost Bat effort, Boeing has significantly strengthened its industrial foundation in Germany.
The expanded partnership brings together expertise in systems integration, weapons technology, communications infrastructure, software development, logistics support, and defence manufacturing—capabilities that are increasingly critical for next-generation autonomous combat aircraft.
As defence modernisation accelerates across Europe, Boeing’s strategy is clear: pair cutting-edge aerospace innovation with trusted national partners to create a solution tailored for future operational demands.
For the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, the runway toward Germany has become considerably stronger. And with ambitions focused on a potential Luftwaffe capability by 2029, Boeing’s latest alliance-building effort may prove to be one of the most important flight paths in the evolution of Europe’s collaborative combat aircraft market.
