Germany's Drone Dilemma: Internal Divisions Threaten 2029 Combat Aircraft Goal

BERLIN — Germany wants a fleet of uncrewed combat aircraft to meet a key NATO requirement. But divisions inside its defense ministry over whether to buy an Australian drone or wait for European alternatives threaten to derail Berlin's goal of fielding an initial fleet by 2029.

Germany is seeking reusable, jet-powered combat drones capable of carrying weapons, sensors or electronic warfare payloads into heavily defended airspace. Unlike the small, disposable drones widely used in Ukraine, they are intended to operate repeatedly and eventually alongside crewed jets such as the Eurofighter and F-35.

The German air force currently has no such capability. NATO expects Berlin to provide the capability by 2035, but Germany has set itself a more ambitious goal of fielding a limited fleet by 2029 so the Luftwaffe can gain operational experience first.

Several confidential ministry papers seen by POLITICO show officials divided between purchasing Boeing Australia's MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a bridge while European projects mature, or holding a competition first that would give German and European designs more time to develop.

A final internal memo, prepared for State Secretary for Arms Jens Plötner by the ministry's planning staff before he decides on the next steps, concludes that the 2029 target can no longer be met and recommends postponing it.

Germany’s defense ministry declined to comment.

Australian shortcut hits roadblock

The ministry's original plan was to buy 12 Boeing Australia MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones as an interim capability while simultaneously testing rival designs, giving German and European alternatives more time to mature. The officials in the ministry's innovation department that developed the proposal argued this was the only realistic way to meet the 2029 target.

The disagreement highlights a broader dilemma confronting Berlin as it seeks to rebuild armed forces weakened by decades of underinvestment: whether to buy advanced foreign equipment that could be fielded quickly, or wait for German and European industry to catch up and keep more production, expertise and sensitive technology at home.

Under the proposal, Boeing and German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall had agreed to examine how the MQ-28 aircraft could be adapted to Germany’s requirements and be partly produced in the country. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly endorsed the option during a visit to Australia in March, saying a purchase of Ghost Bats was under consideration.

At the same time, Berlin planned a competition involving Boeing Defence Australia and its MQ-28; German startup Helsing and Hensoldt and its CA-1 Europa; and Airbus and U.S. manufacturer Kratos with their XQ-58 Valkyrie.

But a ministry assessment, seen by POLITICO, concluded that none of the available aircraft fully met Germany's requirements. The MQ-28 would require modifications to perform the ground-attack mission Germany wants, and the head of the procurement agency questioned whether those changes could be completed by 2029. German-led alternatives, meanwhile, were not yet mature enough.

The initial fleet would cost around €820 million, according to one ministry note, with much of the industrial work taking place outside Germany despite Rheinmetall's involvement. That also created a political challenge. Major military purchases require approval from the Bundestag's budget committee, and lawmakers are increasingly pushing for higher defense spending to strengthen German and European industry.

Competition first, deadline later

The final planning memo to Platner, prepared after an early-July meeting of senior planning, armaments, air force and procurement officials, effectively reverses the sequence. Instead of buying the MQ-28 first, the ministry would hold the competition before committing to any aircraft purchase.

The memo says this would reduce the risk of investing in an aircraft requiring extensive modifications, while giving German and European-led projects more time to mature and compete. It could also help Germany retain control over sensitive mission software.

The downside is timing. Because the competition would not begin until 2027, ministry officials conclude it would be impossible to select a winner, adapt the aircraft and field it by 2029, although Germany would still aim to meet NATO's 2035 requirement.

Officials propose relying partly on cruise missiles from 2027 to fill part of the capability gap. Unlike reusable combat drones, however, they are destroyed after launch and cannot carry out the same range of missions.

Both proposals are expected to be weighed by State Secretary Plötner, who must decide on the path forward.