MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition have secured a several-hundred-million-euro contract from Germany’s arms procurement agency to develop a next-generation high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy.
The program encompasses the design and development of a fully integrated maritime laser weapon capability, covering every stage of the engagement process—from surveillance and target acquisition to tracking and precision engagement—with delivery planned by 2029.
To execute the project, the two defense companies will form a dedicated joint venture that prioritizes German industry participation, local expertise, and resilient domestic supply chains.
The laser weapon is intended to enhance the German Navy’s layered defense architecture by complementing conventional naval artillery and guided missile systems. The project builds upon the proven naval laser demonstrator jointly developed by MBDA and Rheinmetall, which successfully completed extensive sea trials aboard the frigate Sachsen.
Over the course of the trials, the demonstrator sailed more than 28,000 nautical miles through the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean, conducting over 1,000 successful engagements against aerial, maritime, and land targets, even in challenging weather conditions.
Testing also confirmed the system’s advanced beam-directing and target-tracking performance, allowing it to concentrate laser energy accurately on moving threats for faster engagements while improving energy efficiency.
