Boeing Expands German Industry Team for MQ-28 Ghost Bat Programme

At the 2026 ILA Berlin Air Show, Boeing announced the expansion of its German industry team supporting the MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft programme. The move strengthens Boeing’s efforts to tailor the Australian-developed autonomous aircraft to the requirements of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).

Joining the programme are German defence and technology companies Diehl Defence and Rohde & Schwarz, which will work alongside strategic partner Rheinmetall. Rheinmetall has already been selected as Boeing’s primary German systems integration partner and will play a leading role in adapting national technologies for integration into the MQ-28 platform.

Developed by Boeing Defence Australia, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is designed as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), capable of operating alongside crewed combat aircraft while performing missions such as intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, surveillance and strike support. The aircraft has attracted growing international interest as air forces seek force-multiplier solutions that can enhance operational capability while reducing risk to human pilots.

Under the expanded partnership, Diehl Defence will explore the integration of German-developed weapons systems into the MQ-28. The company’s role could include technical support, software development, training and the incorporation of air-to-ground and guided missile capabilities, depending on customer requirements.

Rohde & Schwarz will focus on communications and mission-system integration. Its expertise will support interoperability between the MQ-28 and existing Bundeswehr command, control and weapons networks, while also contributing operational, maintenance and logistical support capabilities.

The announcement reflects Boeing’s strategy of incorporating national industry participation into potential international MQ-28 programmes. By partnering with established German defence companies, Boeing aims to provide a platform that can be adapted to local operational requirements while supporting domestic industrial participation.

Amy List, Vice President and Managing Director of Boeing Defence Australia, said the expanded team combines Australian and German expertise to support the potential introduction of the MQ-28 into Luftwaffe service by the end of the decade. She noted that collaboration across development, testing, delivery and support activities would allow for significant German customisation of the platform.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger highlighted the company’s role in integrating the autonomous aircraft into Germany’s defence architecture. He said the partnership would contribute to future air defence capabilities while supporting technological development and industrial value creation within Germany.

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch noted that the company’s experience in guided weapons and air-to-ground systems would enable it to contribute to the evolving requirements of the German armed forces as collaborative combat aircraft become an increasingly important element of modern air power.

Rohde & Schwarz also emphasised the importance of secure and resilient communications for future combat aviation concepts. The company intends to explore how its advanced networking and mission-system technologies could support MQ-28 operations in Germany and potentially elsewhere in Europe.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat represents one of the most advanced collaborative combat aircraft currently in development outside the United States. Originally conceived to support the Royal Australian Air Force, the programme has matured rapidly through a series of successful flight tests and capability demonstrations.

As European nations continue to invest in next-generation combat air capabilities, collaborative combat aircraft are increasingly viewed as a key component of future air warfare. Boeing’s expanding German industry team demonstrates the growing international interest in the MQ-28 and highlights the importance of local industrial partnerships in securing future defence programmes.

Should Germany proceed with the platform, the partnership structure established at ILA Berlin could provide a framework for integrating national technologies while ensuring operational compatibility with the Luftwaffe’s future combat air requirements.