The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) on January 12 ordered eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones from US manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. According to a Bundeswehr press release, the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones are scheduled to be delivered to the naval air arm starting in 2028.
As hartpunkt reported in December, the procurement will be handled through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which is managing the contract with the manufacturer on behalf of the German government. According to well-informed sources, approximately €1.52 billion has been earmarked for this purpose. This sum includes spare parts for a two-year initial period of operation, as well as other services such as flight crew training. Reportedly, the unmanned aerial vehicles are to be upgraded to an anti-submarine warfare configuration in 2031 and 2032.
The MQ-9B carries various sensors to the target area, including cameras and radars. The German Navy will soon deploy aircraft like the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and the MQ-9B drones to monitor large sea areas, for example in the North Atlantic or the Baltic Sea. While the P-8A reaches a speed of about 900 kilometers per hour and has a high capacity for sensors and weapons, the MQ-9B can remain airborne for extended periods.
With a wingspan of over 20 meters and a length of only ten meters, the drone boasts excellent gliding characteristics, allowing the MQ-9B to remain airborne for up to 30 hours. According to reports, the unmanned aircraft can carry a payload of over 2,000 kilograms to its operational area. The Navy drones are equipped with various sensors, including different cameras and radars for scanning the sea surface. Additionally, they carry canisters capable of deploying sonar buoys. These enable the unmanned aircraft to detect underwater activity, such as the movement of submarines.
According to the German Armed Forces, the eight MQ-9B drones and their associated ground control stations will be operated by Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin” in Nordholz. However, several preparations are still required before the first drones can fly, starting in 2028. Personnel must be trained and the necessary infrastructure established on site.
The German Armed Forces benefit from the fact that other partners are already using the MQ-9B system. This allows them to draw on the experience of allied armed forces – such as the British or the Belgians – to ensure the smoothest possible start to flight operations.
The acquisition negotiation was executed on behalf of Germany by NSPA, which has developed a contractual framework through the MQ-9 Support Partnership (MIC SP) for supporting cooperation amongst its member nations and enabling the procurement of MQ-9B for NATO Allies and Partners. NSPA has added MQ-9B to its portfolio of defense systems to contract on behalf of NATO nations, with the goal of enhancing interoperability for joint training and operations.
“This Support Partnership demonstrates how NSPA enables efficient, effective and responsive multinational acquisitions for advanced, interoperable capabilities. We are proud to support Germany in this strategic investment for maritime surveillance and security,” said Ms. Stacy A. Cummings, NSPA General Manager.
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