Germany Drops Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Rapid Procurement Plan

Germany has abandoned a proposal for rapid direct procurement of Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft, according to reporting published October 2026 and confirmed by a Boeing representative. The Australian-developed MQ-28 is designed to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft using autonomous mission systems, making it a candidate for Germany's future fighter-support requirements. The decision concerns an accelerated acquisition proposal rather than cancellation of an awarded German production contract, and Boeing may still compete in subsequent collaborative combat aircraft initiatives. No German order quantity, purchase value or replacement platform selection has been formally announced under the abandoned plan.