Overview
- Rheinmetall announced a strategic partnership with Boeing Australia to compete for Germany’s new combat drone program built on the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.
- The companies plan to offer an MQ-28 system for use alongside crewed fighter jets, with Rheinmetall pitching itself as the systems integrator.
- The program envisions hundreds of fighter and attack drones through 2029, which Business Insider reports could bring Rheinmetall hundreds of millions of euros if selected.
- The push comes after CEO Armin Papperger drew criticism for calling Ukrainian drone makers “housewives” and their work “Lego,” prompting rebukes from President Volodymyr Zelensky and a company statement praising Ukraine’s efforts.
- The tender is competitive, with Airbus working with Kratos, Helsing partnering with Hensoldt, and General Atomics exploring entries, while separate reporting says Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 air-defense turret faces delays integrating a planned guided missile.