Saab and Airbus are exploring a potential partnership to jointly develop unmanned combat aircraft technologies designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets. Senior executives from both companies confirmed the discussions, noting similarities with the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative, which focuses on “loyal wingman” drones that enhance pilot survivability and battlefield flexibility.
Industry sources told Reuters the talks could lead to a broader European cooperation framework if the initial unmanned teaming project proves successful. Analysts say this effort may also offer an alternative path should Europe’s embattled Future Combat Air System program—managed by Airbus, Dassault Aviation and Indra—face additional delays or even cancellation, amid concerns about cost, technology sharing and industrial workloads.
Airbus has already been active in the space, unveiling its Wingman unmanned concept and demonstrating manned–unmanned teaming features for the Eurofighter Typhoon beginning in 2024. The company extended its reach in 2025 by working with Kratos to propose the XQ-58A Valkyrie as a future combat drone for Germany by the end of the decade, initially for training and eventually for operational missions.
Europe’s defense industry is seeing similar collaborations, including efforts between General Dynamics and General Atomics’ German affiliate, and between Rheinmetall and Anduril, as NATO countries accelerate investments in autonomous systems to support next-generation air combat operations.
