Wingman Drones Dominate Berlin Airshow as Boeing Targets German Service by 2029
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 16
Wingman Drones Dominate Berlin Airshow as Boeing Targets German Service by 2029
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 16
Summary
Four companies — Airbus, Boeing, Helsing and General Atomics — used the Berlin airshow to pitch AI-powered wingman aircraft to Germany as Europe accelerates rearmament.
Ukraine's war has sharpened demand for drones that can fly alongside fighters, carrying sensors, jammers and weapons while preserving sovereign control over the AI systems that run them.
Boeing says its MQ-28 Ghost Bat, built with Rheinmetall, could enter Luftwaffe service by 2029, while Airbus says its U760b Ravenstorm will not be ready until the 2030s.
Germany and France, after shelving plans for a joint fighter jet this month, are trying to salvage parts of their Future Combat Air System through a related drone platform and data network.
The push reflects a broader European effort to build a more self-reliant defence industry and cut dependence on U.S. military technology.
Europe is building a drone army, but can it break its critical supply chain dependence on China?
As adversaries deploy faster jet drones, is Europe's new multi-billion euro 'drone wall' already becoming obsolete?
Will the EU's 'European preference' rule foster innovation or simply create an expensive, protected military market?
Europe’s €150 Billion Defense Mobilization: Germany-Ukraine Drone Alliance and the Urgent Push for Military Innovation
Overview
Europe’s defense landscape is rapidly changing, highlighted by the €4 billion Germany-Ukraine drone agreement that goes beyond traditional arms sales to deep operational integration. Western companies like Germany’s Helsing are embedding specialists within Ukrainian drone units, allowing combat experience to be quickly fed back into production and advanced systems to be battle-tested. Ukrainian experts are also advising on manufacturing, creating a dynamic partnership that accelerates innovation. This hands-on collaboration is a model for Europe’s broader push for defense autonomy, showing how real-time battlefield feedback and joint development can strengthen both Ukraine’s and Europe’s security.