"[T]he ministry had 'informed' the company of the move to abandon the aircraft purchase," a Boeing spokesperson told Breaking Defense, confirming that Germany will not directly procure Boeing's MQ‑28 Ghost Bat as part of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft plans.
German Ministry of Defence: formal silence and legal limits
A German Ministry of Defence spokesperson told Breaking Defense that, "based on a matter of principle—and regardless of the specific case in question—we cannot provide information regarding potential procurement projects." The ministry framed that position as driven by "regulations concerning procurement and public contracting law, as well as the requirement that such matters first be addressed by parliament." The ministry did not offer reasons for ending the planned Ghost Bat acquisition; the decision was first reported by Politico.
Boeing: notified and ready to support next steps
After receiving formal notice from Berlin, Boeing deferred comment on the reasons for the ministry's decision, but its spokesperson said the company "stands ready to support" its German customer on next steps. Boeing framed its response as one of readiness rather than disagreement or public challenge to the ministry's course.
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End the scrambleTimeline: a 2029 aim now in doubt, tests slated to begin in 2027
Germany had set a target of fielding uncrewed wingmen alongside fighter jets by 2029, which would have made it the first European country to reach that milestone. The new timeline now appears to be in doubt: Politico reported that Berlin will wait until the early 2030s for the capability to arrive, with aircraft tests to start in 2027. Breaking Defense's reporting mirrors that sequence—an official procurement pause, followed by a test phase beginning in 2027 and a likely operational window pushed beyond the original 2029 objective.
Competitor landscape: Airbus‑Kratos, Helsing CA‑1 Europa, and General Atomics
The procurement pause opens a renewed competitive window. Under an Airbus–Kratos partnership, the U740‑Valkyrie wingman has already announced a first flight: Airbus stated that the milestone "confirms that Airbus and Kratos are on track to deliver a combat‑ready uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2029, addressing the operational requirements of the German and other European Armed Forces." Separately, Germany’s Helsing is pitching the CA‑1 Europa and has said the CCA is due to be ready for operations by 2029. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is also in the mix; company spokesperson C. Mark Brinkely told Breaking Defense in June that "we have certainly spoken to Germany many, many times about our CCA and what there is to offer." The reporting indicates that the 2027 tests will provide "a chance for other competitors and Boeing to fight to be selected for the CCA acquisition."
What this means for Germany, Boeing, and Airbus–Kratos
- Germany (the Ministry of Defence and parliament): The ministry's cited reliance on procurement and public contracting law signals a formal, rules‑based approach to moving the program into a phase that requires parliamentary consideration. The stated need to involve parliament means the timetable and acquisition path will be managed through formal oversight processes.
- Boeing: Having been formally notified that Berlin will not directly buy the MQ‑28 Ghost Bat, Boeing has positioned itself as available to support whatever steps Germany pursues next, including participation in competitive testing beginning in 2027.
- Airbus and Kratos, Helsing, General Atomics: Each named competitor now stands to press its case during the forthcoming test and selection period. Airbus and Kratos have framed their U740‑Valkyrie as on track for a 2029 readiness; Helsing has made a similar readiness claim for the CA‑1 Europa; General Atomics has signaled ongoing discussions with Germany about its Gambit family.
The immediate, concrete outcome is procedural: Boeing was formally told the direct purchase will not proceed and Germany will follow procurement rules and parliamentary processes. The practical consequence is a delay of the original 2029 fielding target and the opening of a competitive window in which multiple platforms — U740‑Valkyrie, CA‑1 Europa, Gambit variants, and potentially Boeing again — will be tested and argued for during trials beginning in 2027. Which platform will ultimately be selected, and whether the revised schedule can meet operational needs, remains to be settled through the tests and the parliamentary procurement process now set in motion.
Source: Breaking Defense — "Germany changes course on plans to buy MQ-28 drone wingman: Boeing official"
