Germany cancels direct purchase of Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Germany has decided against the direct purchase of the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). The decision, which has been officially communicated to Boeing, marks a shift from previous plans to acquire the platform to support Eurofighter Typhoon operations as part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

While an initial timeline aimed for service entry by 2029, internal documents suggest the German Ministry of Defense will instead compare multiple systems starting in 2027. Consequently, operational drones are now not expected until the early 2030s. The procurement office indicated that no current system meets all requirements, particularly regarding ground-attack capabilities.

Analysts suggest the delay may also stem from concerns regarding sovereignty and software control. Previously, discussions involved a government deal with Australia for at least twelve aircraft, valued at over 800 million euros, but Berlin is now prioritizing a comparative selection process to ensure full operational control.