Germany Divided Over Combat Drone Acquisition Amid NATO Deadline Pressure

Germany is pushing to establish a fleet of combat drones to fulfill a NATO requirement, but internal disagreements are hindering progress on procurement. The Ministry of Defense is reportedly split over whether to acquire the Australian Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat or to await the development of European alternatives.

The German military seeks reusable combat drones capable of carrying weapons, sensors, or electronic warfare systems, distinguishing them from the smaller, single-use drones prevalent in the Ukraine conflict. While NATO's deadline for such capabilities is 2035, Germany is aiming for an earlier completion by 2029.

However, achieving this ambitious 2029 goal appears increasingly challenging, particularly if Germany opts to wait for a European-made drone. Confidential documents obtained by Politico suggest that even a memorandum prepared for State Secretary Jens Plötner indicates the target may no longer be feasible and could require postponement.

The original plan involved purchasing 12 Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones while simultaneously testing domestic and European designs. Officials involved in developing this concept considered it the only realistic path to meeting the deadline. Boeing and German firm Rheinmetall had planned to explore adapting the Australian aircraft for German requirements, including partial domestic production, a move supported by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Despite initial plans for a tender involving multiple manufacturers, including Boeing's MQ-28, it was assessed that no single option fully met German specifications. The MQ-28 would necessitate modifications, and there was uncertainty about their completion by 2029. The tender process itself was not expected to begin before 2027, making the selection, adaptation, and deployment of a drone within the timeframe difficult.