Airbus tests Valkyrie in Europe, targets combat readiness by 2029

what happened

Reuters reports that Airbus has conducted the first European test flight of the US-built Valkyrie drone, developed by Kratos Defense. The aircraft has not yet been fitted with its European mission system, but the trial was intended to demonstrate that military drones can be integrated into Europe’s complex airspace. The flight took place over northern Europe on September 29, with the drone reaching Mach 0.8 at different altitudes and in various flight conditions.

Airbus and Kratos announced in 2025 that they would supply the German Air Force by 2029 with autonomous drones that can also be remotely piloted or operate alongside Eurofighter jets. The rail-launched Valkyrie has a range exceeding 5,000 km (3,107 miles) and is due to receive Airbus’ MARS mission system. Its next test flight is expected in the first quarter of 2027, followed later that year by the first flight alongside a Eurofighter.

Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, put the unit cost at around €20 million ($22.4 million) and estimated Germany’s requirement at about 500 CCAs. German requirements are still being refined, including whether the drones will support air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes or electronic warfare. Schoellhorn also said German or European production could be considered if order volumes were sufficient, describing a European system on an existing US platform as a pragmatic compromise.

why it matters

The test places Airbus in competition with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, Anduril Industries and Saab for a potentially multibillion-dollar market in uncrewed combat aircraft. Germany’s requirements, certification process and the balance between European systems and a US platform remain important for the programme.

instruments