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The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed a contract with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft (ARGE) HEL of MBDA Deutschland GmbH und Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH for the development of a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. A joint venture between MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH is currently being established for this purpose. The laser weapon system will be operational in 2029. The contract covers the development of a complete system for maritime applications and will encompass the entire chain of operations, from reconnaissance and target tracking to engagement. In its development work, the joint venture is placing particular emphasis on German supply chains and domestic systems expertise in order to safeguard national sovereignty in this key technology.
“The laser weapon system from MBDA and Rheinmetall is a flagship technological project with a very high level of technological maturity. It meets the specific requirements of the Bundeswehr and will significantly strengthen the German Navy's defence capabilities against air, sea and land targets. The containerised laser effector will also be cost-effective for port security as well as other applications” emphasises Thomas Gottschild, Executive Vice President Strategy & Future Growth, MBDA and Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland GmbH.
Roman Koehne, Head of Rheinmetall's Weapon and Ammunition Division: “This is a striking demonstration of the level of technological maturity that can be achieved when the two leading systems integrators, Rheinmetall and MBDA, combine their complementary capabilities to create a comprehensive system. The laser weapon system will provide our personnel deployed on naval vessels with a significantly higher level of protection, particularly when it comes to countering drones. Series production will largely take place in Germany, creating new training opportunities and jobs. We are delighted by the confidence shown in us through this contract.”
The overall system is tailored to the requirements and needs of the Bundeswehr. In March 2026, the naval laser demonstrator repeatedly demonstrated its capabilities to high-ranking German delegations at the Wehrtechnischen Dienststelle für Waffen und Munition (WTD91) in Meppen. The demonstrator has already covered 28,000 nautical miles across the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean on board the frigate SACHSEN, proving its effectiveness even in adverse environmental conditions. During more than a year of testing and its deployment at WTD91, over 1,000 shots were successfully fired at air, sea and land targets.
The advanced beam quality and tracking capability enable the laser power to be focused with extreme precision, even on moving targets. The system developed by MBDA and Rheinmetall can focus the power onto an area measuring just a few centimetres. Thanks to its very high energy density, targets can therefore be engaged more quickly, more precisely and more effectively, whilst using lower laser power.
