Germany Shifts Course on MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Procurement, Reassesses CCA Strategy with Boeing and Other Competitors

BELFAST — The German Ministry of Defence has informed Boeing that it will not proceed with a direct procurement of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, marking a notable shift in the country’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) acquisition strategy.

A Boeing spokesperson confirmed to Breaking Defense that the ministry had officially communicated its decision to abandon the Ghost Bat purchase, a development initially reported by Politico.

When asked about the rationale behind the cancellation of the acquisition plan, the Boeing representative referred all inquiries back to the German Ministry of Defence.

In response, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defence cited legal and procedural constraints. “As a matter of principle—and regardless of the specific case—this information cannot be disclosed,” the spokesperson said. “Procurement and public contracting regulations, along with parliamentary oversight protocols, prevent us from commenting on potential defense acquisition projects at this stage.”

Germany continues to pursue next-generation combat drones designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets for strike operations. Originally aiming to deploy these systems by 2029, making it the first European nation to achieve such capability, Berlin’s revised timeline may delay the program beyond that target. According to reports, the country now expects the CCA systems to become available in the early 2030s, with formal testing beginning in 2027—a window that opens opportunities for additional contenders to vie for the contract.

Despite the setback, Boeing expressed readiness to support Germany’s future defense initiatives. “We remain prepared to assist our German partners as they move forward with their CCA program,” said the company spokesperson.

Germany’s revised approach has attracted attention from several aerospace manufacturers eager to compete. Among them, German-based Helsing has proposed its CA-1 Europa drone, which the company says will be operational by 2029. Additionally, under a collaboration between Airbus and U.S. firm Kratos, the U740-Valkyrie is also in contention. The first flight of the unmanned aircraft was successfully completed earlier this week.

Airbus emphasized the significance of the milestone in a statement: “This achievement reinforces our commitment to delivering a combat-capable uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2029, aligning with the operational needs of the German Armed Forces and broader European defense objectives.”

Other industry players are also positioning themselves for opportunity. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, known for its Gambit family of drones, indicated ongoing interest. “We’ve had extensive discussions with Germany regarding our CCA offerings and the unique value they bring,” said C. Mark Brinkley, a spokesperson for the company, in an interview with Breaking Defense in June.

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