Defense firm Rheinmetall has announced a partnership with Boeing Australia to develop the long-range MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drone for the Bundeswehr. The Düsseldorf-based company aims to offer it for the planned procurement of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2029. The multi-billion euro contract stems from a secret Bundeswehr tender.
Rheinmetall announced on Tuesday a partnership with Boeing Australia. The goal is to position the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a mature solution for the Bundeswehr's procurement of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2029. "The aim is to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a mature solution for the planned procurement of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by the Bundeswehr by 2029," stated a press release from the DAX-listed company.
The Bundeswehr issued a secret tender for combat drones last year. These drones must feature stealth capabilities, fly just below the speed of sound, have a range exceeding 1000 kilometers, and carry several hundred kilograms of armament. The key criterion is the timeline: delivery into service by 2029.
The contract, worth billions of euros, has attracted significant interest. Bidders include Rheinmetall, another German firm partnering with a US defense company, and drone startup Helsing. Helsing had previously acquired aircraft manufacturer Grob for the tender.
