Rheinmetall to showcase air defence, space reconnaissance, drones and F-35 production at ILA Berlin 2026

The Düsseldorf-based technology group said it will present itself under the motto “strong and clear. Across all domains.” Rheinmetall said it is positioning itself as a comprehensive systems provider for all operational domains and as a reliable “One-Stop-Shop”.

The company said the approach reflects its responsibility for Germany, NATO and partner countries. Its display will focus on systems intended to support operations across air, land, space and other domains.

Rheinmetall said its sensor-to-shooter approach is designed to provide maximum transparency in the operational theatre. The company said the concept reduces response times and supports the protection of friendly forces, from the first signal in space to effects on the ground.

One of the main exhibits will be Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft designed for manned-unmanned teaming in contested airspace. Rheinmetall said the system has a modular design, has completed more than 150 flights and can be used for reconnaissance, electronic warfare and weapon-system integration.

Boeing is bringing the MQ-28 into a strategic partnership with Rheinmetall to support the Bundeswehr’s planned Collaborative Combat Aircraft procurement by 2029. Rheinmetall will act as system manager for the MQ-28 in Germany and will be responsible for adapting it to national requirements.

Rheinmetall said it will also provide operational, maintenance and logistical support for the system. The company said this will be supported by its industrial base and experience in unmanned systems.

Rheinmetall will also highlight Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites, which provide high-resolution radar images of the Earth’s surface regardless of time of day or weather. The company said such systems can gather detailed information through cloud, fog, smoke and darkness.

The company said SAR data is an essential basis for real-time status reports, target acquisition and surveillance for modern armed forces. Through the Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions joint venture, a sovereign German satellite constellation is being established from Neuss on the Lower Rhine.

Rheinmetall said the constellation is intended to ensure a secure and controlled flow of information. The company said space-based reconnaissance is a central element of the digital transformation of defence and national security.

The joint venture recently received a contract worth billions from the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall said exclusive access to a SAR constellation will provide space-based reconnaissance data to help secure NATO’s eastern flank.

Another exhibit will be the FV-014 Loitering Munition System, which combines reconnaissance and precision strike functions in one platform. Rheinmetall said the system fills the gap between a typical drone and conventional artillery.

The FV-014 uses a fully rotatable gimbal with a 360-degree optical sensor mounted on the bow. This allows potential targets to be monitored over extended periods and engaged precisely at the decisive moment.

The system can be operated autonomously or by remote control. Rheinmetall said modular sensor technology, long range and networked mission control make it relevant for modern battlefields where reaction speed and situational awareness are critical.

The FV-014 has a range of up to 100 km and is equipped with a warhead and ignition device. It can remain airborne for up to 70 minutes while observing targets before deployment.
Rheinmetall said the system is manufactured entirely within the European Union. It is integrated into a ground control station that supports mission planning, flight control and combat operations.

The FV-014 forms part of Rheinmetall’s sensor-to-shooter approach. The company said the concept also includes the Luna NG drone as a key reconnaissance element.
Rheinmetall will show its Skyranger 30 air defence system at ILA Berlin 2026. The company said ground-based air defence has become more important in Europe, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine.

Several EU and NATO members, including Germany, have selected the Skyranger 30 mobile air defence solution. Rheinmetall said the system combines mobility, protection, flexibility and precision for close- and medium-range threat scenarios.

At the exhibition, Rheinmetall will present the Skyranger 30 turret mounted on the Boxer 8×8 armoured wheeled vehicle. The display will include MBDA’s DefendAir guided missile.

Rheinmetall said the combination of effectors makes Skyranger 30 suitable for countering current and future threats. The system is intended to address demanding air defence requirements in mobile formations.

The company will also present the Caracal 4×4 airborne vehicle with the ATAX air-drop system. Rheinmetall said the Caracal was developed for airborne and special forces.

The vehicle combines tactical mobility, a low profile and modular, scalable protection. It can be adapted to different mission profiles, from troop transport to specialised variants and heavily armed combat vehicle configurations.

The Caracal can be equipped with mounted weapons or anti-tank guided missiles. With a payload of up to 1,200 kg and a universal rail system, it can support rapid deployment, reconnaissance, command tasks and mobile weapon-carrier roles.

In combination with the modular ATAX Land air transport system from IrvinGQ Ltd., the vehicle supports highly mobile airborne operations. Rheinmetall said the system can reduce logistical effort and shorten response times in operational theatres.

ATAX is a modular Rapid Rigging and De-Rigging Airdrop System. It enables air transport and parachute drop of the Caracal over a designated drop zone.

Rheinmetall will also highlight its F-35 fuselage centre section production activities. The company said it built one of Europe’s most modern military aircraft manufacturing facilities in Weeze on the Lower Rhine in less than 18 months.

Production began in the summer of 2025, and the eighth centre section for the F-35 Lightning II is now on the production line. Rheinmetall said 14 NATO countries, including Germany, already operate the aircraft or have placed firm orders.

The centre section is described as the heart of the aircraft. It connects critical systems including weapon systems, avionics, hydraulic systems and electrical systems.

Rheinmetall is manufacturing 400 centre sections in Weeze for its US partner Northrop Grumman. During ILA Berlin 2026, the company will exhibit an F-35 model.

Rheinmetall’s two-storey stand will be located in the Defence Park at G/300. The company said ILA Berlin, held every two years, showcases technology from across the international aerospace industry and attracted about 95,000 visitors in 2024.