A statement issued by the German Armed Forces on 12 January 2026 reveals Germany has placed an order for eight MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft from U.S. manufacturer General Atomics, formally pivoting the system toward long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare support. The Marineflieger will begin receiving the first aircraft from 2028, with operations centered at Naval Air Wing 3 Graf Zeppelin in Nordholz. The service frames the purchase as a practical step to widen sea-area coverage over the North Atlantic and the Baltic, where German planners increasingly treat “knowing what happens at sea” as a prerequisite for protecting routes and critical infrastructure. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| Germany’s decision to acquire eight MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones signals a clear shift toward persistent maritime surveillance and enhanced submarine awareness across the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic (Picture Source: General Atomics) |