Germany contracts Rheinmetall and MBDA for naval laser weapon by 2029
On July 9, 2026, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment awarded a mid-three-digit million-euro contract to Rheinmetall and MBDA to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy, targeting operational deployment by 2029. The system, tested aboard the frigate Sachsen with over 1,000 shots, aims to counter drones and enhance port security. The joint venture prioritizes German supply chains and domestic production for national sovereignty. Parallel European efforts include the UK’s DragonFire laser and a French-German railgun test.
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Rheinmetall and MBDA Secure German Navy Laser Weapon Development Contract
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and MBDA Deutschland have been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The contract marks a significant step in Germany's directed-energy weapons program, aiming to enhance naval defensive capabilities against drones, missiles, and other threats. The project involves integrating laser technology onto naval platforms for close-in defense. This collaboration leverages Rheinmetall's expertise in high-energy lasers and MBDA's systems integration experience. The development is part of broader European efforts to field operational laser weapons for military use.
Naval TechnologyRheinmetall and MBDA Secure German Navy Laser Weapon Development Contract
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and MBDA Deutschland have been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The contract marks a significant step in Germany's directed-energy weapons program, aiming to provide naval vessels with advanced defensive capabilities against drones, missiles, and other threats. The collaboration combines Rheinmetall's expertise in high-energy lasers with MBDA's missile and systems integration experience. The project is part of broader European efforts to field operational laser weapons for military use, with potential applications for close-in defense and counter-swarm operations. No financial details or timeline were disclosed in the announcement.
Naval TechnologyRheinmetall and MBDA Secure German Navy Laser Weapon Development Contract
Rheinmetall Waffe Munition and MBDA Deutschland have been awarded a contract by the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The agreement, signed on July 9, 2026, is valued in the mid three-digit million-euro range. The companies are forming a joint venture (ARGE HEL) to oversee the project, which will create a complete maritime laser system featuring reconnaissance, target tracking, and engagement capabilities. The system is scheduled for operational deployment in 2029 and will rely heavily on German supply chains to preserve national sovereignty. Recent trials aboard the F124 frigate Sachsen included over 1,000 shots against air, sea, and land threats over 28,000 nautical miles. Executives highlighted the system's precision, cost-effectiveness for port security, and enhanced protection against drones. Series production is planned in Germany, creating training and job opportunities.
Naval TechnologyGerman Navy to Deploy New MBDA and Rheinmetall Laser Weapon by 2029
On 9 July 2026, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) signed a contract with the ARGE HEL consortium, comprising MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The system is expected to be operational by 2029, with a contract value in the mid three-digit million-euro range. The laser weapon, designed for maritime applications, will provide protection against drones and other airborne, maritime, and land-based targets. The system has undergone extensive testing, including over 1,000 successful shots and 28,000 nautical miles of sea trials aboard the frigate SACHSEN. The joint venture emphasizes German supply chains and domestic expertise to ensure national sovereignty in this key technology.
Naval NewsGerman Navy to Deploy New MBDA and Rheinmetall Laser Weapon by 2029
On 9 July 2026, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) signed a contract with the High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator Working Group (ARGE HEL), comprising MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The system is expected to be operational by 2029, with a contract value in the mid three-digit million-euro range. The laser weapon system, designed for maritime applications, will cover the entire operational chain from reconnaissance to engagement. It has already undergone extensive testing, including over 1,000 shots at airborne, maritime, and land-based targets, and 28,000 nautical miles of sea trials aboard the frigate SACHSEN. The system is designed to counter drones and other threats, with series production planned in Germany to ensure national sovereignty in this key technology.
Naval NewsGerman Navy to Deploy New MBDA and Rheinmetall Laser Weapon by 2029
On 9 July 2026, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) signed a contract with the High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator Working Group (ARGE HEL), comprising MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The system is expected to be operational by 2029, with a contract value in the mid three-digit million-euro range. The laser weapon, designed for maritime applications, has undergone extensive testing, including over 1,000 shots against airborne, maritime, and land-based targets, and 28,000 nautical miles of sea trials aboard the frigate SACHSEN. The system emphasizes German supply chains and domestic expertise to ensure national sovereignty. It will provide enhanced protection against drones and other threats, with series production largely in Germany.
Naval NewsRheinmetall and MBDA to Develop Laser Weapon for German Navy by 2029
Rheinmetall and MBDA have signed a contract with the German armed forces equipment office to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy, with operational capability expected by 2029. The contract, valued in the mid three-digit million-euro range, builds on previous work with a laser demonstrator that was tested aboard the frigate Sachsen, covering 28,000 nautical miles and firing over 1,000 shots at air, sea, and land targets. The containerized laser effector is designed for counter-drone protection and port security, focusing power on areas just centimeters wide, and has proven effective in adverse weather. The joint venture will emphasize German supply chains and local systems expertise, with serial production largely in Germany. The article also notes parallel developments: the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis tested an electromagnetic railgun outdoors for the first time, and Belgium announced purchases of Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 anti-drone cannons and Thales GM200 radars as part of a €3.1 billion layered air defense investment.
C4ISRNetRheinmetall and MBDA to Develop Laser Weapon for German Navy by 2029
Rheinmetall and MBDA have been contracted by the German armed forces equipment office to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy, with an operational target date of 2029. The contract, valued in the mid three-digit million-euro range, builds on a previous demonstrator that was tested aboard the frigate Sachsen, covering 28,000 nautical miles and firing over 1,000 shots. The system is designed to counter drones and enhance naval vessel protection, and will also be deployable as a containerized effector for port security. The joint venture emphasizes German supply chains and local production to secure national sovereignty. The article also notes parallel European efforts, including the UK's DragonFire laser project and Belgium's purchase of Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 anti-drone cannons and Thales radars, as well as a French-German railgun test.
Defense NewsRheinmetall and MBDA to Develop Laser Weapon for German Navy by 2029
Rheinmetall and MBDA have been contracted by the German armed forces' equipment office to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy, with an operational target of 2029. The contract, valued in the mid three-digit million-euro range, builds on a previous demonstrator that was tested aboard the frigate Sachsen, covering 28,000 nautical miles and firing over 1,000 shots at air, sea, and land targets. The system is designed for counter-drone protection, port security, and can focus power on a few centimeters. The joint venture emphasizes German supply chains and local production for national sovereignty. The article also notes parallel developments: the UK Royal Navy's DragonFire laser weapon planned for 2027, a French-German railgun test, and Belgium's purchase of Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 cannons and Thales radars for a layered air defense system.
Defense NewsRheinmetall and MBDA to develop laser weapon for German Navy by 2029
Rheinmetall and MBDA have been contracted by the German armed forces equipment office to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy, with an operational target of 2029. The contract, valued in the mid three-digit million-euro range, builds on a previous laser demonstrator that was tested aboard the frigate Sachsen, covering 28,000 nautical miles and firing over 1,000 shots at air, sea, and land targets. The system is designed to counter drones and enhance port security, with a focus on German supply chains and local production to ensure national sovereignty. The article also notes parallel European efforts, including the UK Royal Navy's DragonFire system and a French-German electromagnetic railgun test, as well as Belgium's purchase of Rheinmetall Skyranger 30 anti-drone cannons and Thales radars.
C4ISRNet