MQ-9B SeaGuardian for the German Navy
On 12 January 2026, the German government officially disclosed a contract to acquire the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial system (UAS).
Valued at approximately €1,5 billion, the contract includes four complete systems, each comprising two aircraft, along with associated support equipment and four ground control stations. Procurement is being carried out by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) on behalf of the German government.
The SeaGuardian is expected to enter service with Marinefliegergeschwader 3 (MFG 3) 'Graf Zeppelin' at the naval air base (Fliegerhorst) in Nordholz. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028, with full induction potentially extending into 2030.
The German Navy plans to employ the SeaGuardian for long-range maritime reconnaissance and surveillance, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and North Atlantic. The system will also provide anti-submarine warfare (ASW) support through sonobuoy deployment, with this capability planned as an upgrade around 2031–2032 rather than at initial operational capability.
Germany will benefit from interoperability with other NATO MQ-9B operators, such as the United Kingdom and Belgium, enabling joint training, data sharing, and coalition operations.
Credit image: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI)