MQ-28 Ghost Bat: a debut with a German industry team
Boeing Australia's uncrewed wingman shows itself at an international show for the first time, and it happens in Berlin.
Deals · ILA Berlin 2026 Photo: Messe Berlin / Johannes Zappe A loyal wingman in Berlin
In the Defence Park at Rheinmetall, the MQ-28 faces an international trade audience for the first time, while Boeing expands the German industry team.
A standout highlight in the Defence Park: the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, developed by Boeing Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force, made its international trade show debut at ILA Berlin 2026. Positioned at the Rheinmetall pavilion, it highlighted a key alliance: Rheinmetall acts as strategic partner and system integrator for a potential German Ghost Bat program.
At the show, the German industry team officially grew: Boeing added Diehl Defence and Rohde & Schwarz to the MQ-28 team. Four renowned partners now stand ready to adapt the platform to German requirements, from effectors to secure communications.
The price of flying in formation
What an entry might cost can be derived from Australia, where six systems were ordered for 930 million dollars. On that basis, a package of seven more MQ-28s is valued at around one billion euros. Germany is widely expected to head for a CCA decision around 2029, and ILA 2026 showed who is positioning for it.
The debut exemplifies ILA's role in the defence segment: where platforms are shown for the first time, industry teams are forged, well before procurement decisions are made.