Airbus and Kratos partner on combat drone for German Air Force by 2029

Airbus Defence and Space and Kratos Defense (USA) have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a combat-ready variant of the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone, integrated with a German-developed Airbus mission system, for the German Air Force by 2029.

• The XQ-58A Valkyrie, a low-observable, rail-launched uncrewed combat aircraft (UCCA), is capable of autonomous missions or teaming with manned fighter jets.
• It has a range of 3,000 miles, can fly up to 45,000 ft, and carry kinetic and non-kinetic payloads.
• Airbus will contribute a platform-agnostic mission system designed to integrate seamlessly across both current and future platforms.

Executives from both companies emphasised the project’s role in strengthening European defence capabilities and transatlantic NATO cooperation, while accelerating deployment of affordable, collaborative combat aircraft in response to urgent geopolitical needs.