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.