Rheinmetall and Boeing Defence Australia have entered into a strategic partnership to position the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a leading solution for the Bundeswehr’s future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) capability, with a target entry into service by 2029.

The agreement marks a significant step in Germany’s efforts to enhance its airpower through the integration of autonomous systems capable of operating alongside manned platforms. The MQ-28, developed by Boeing in Australia, is currently the most mature CCA platform globally, having completed more than 150 test flights and demonstrating advanced autonomous capabilities.

Designed as a force multiplier, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat is intended to operate in highly contested environments, teaming with crewed aircraft to expand operational reach and increase survivability. Its modular architecture and autonomous behaviours enable a wide range of mission profiles, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and the integration of kinetic effects.

Under the partnership, Rheinmetall will assume the role of system integrator for the German market. The company will be responsible for adapting the platform to meet national requirements and ensuring seamless integration into existing and future Bundeswehr command, control, and weapon systems. In addition, Rheinmetall will oversee in-country maintenance, logistics, and lifecycle support.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, noting that the partnership will enable the company to deliver a fully integrated solution while strengthening Germany’s defence-industrial base. He also indicated that the programme could generate revenues in the range of several hundred million euros for Rheinmetall.

A key aspect of the agreement is the emphasis on sovereign capability and industrial value creation within Germany. The partnership foresees the establishment of a dedicated industrial and digital ecosystem, allowing German and Australian engineers to collaborate on system development, testing, and validation. This framework will support continuous capability upgrades through the platform’s open system architecture, ensuring long-term adaptability to evolving operational requirements.

Dr. Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing Global, described the agreement as more than a corporate partnership, highlighting the strategic alignment between Germany and Australia in adopting collaborative combat aircraft concepts. He emphasised that the cooperation will allow Germany to leverage years of Australian investment and innovation, accelerating the deployment of an advanced CCA capability.

The MQ-28’s open and modular design enables the integration of sovereign technologies and mission systems, offering flexibility for national customisation. Recent demonstrations have showcased the platform’s advanced autonomy, including the successful engagement and destruction of an airborne target in a landmark test.

By combining Boeing’s proven autonomous platform with Rheinmetall’s systems integration expertise and industrial footprint in Europe, the partnership aims to deliver a rapidly deployable, scalable, and sovereign CCA capability for the Bundeswehr. The programme is expected to significantly reduce development timelines and enhance Germany’s ability to field next-generation air combat capabilities within the decade.