German defense firms Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany plan to establish a joint venture in early 2026 to develop and produce naval laser weapon.
German defense firms Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany plan to establish a joint venture in early 2026 to develop and produce naval laser weapon systems, aiming to provide the German Navy with a new capability to counter drones and other agile threats at short range.
The companies said the planned venture builds on cooperation dating back to 2019 and follows the successful testing of a naval laser demonstrator integrated onto a German naval vessel and operated under real-world conditions for a year. The new company is expected to focus initially on supplying operational laser weapon systems to the Navy, complementing existing guns and guided missiles.A laser that can kill a coin miles awayAccording to the companies, the laser system is designed to defeat small, fast-moving aerial targets at short and very short distances, a growing concern as militaries face increasing use of unmanned aerial systems. Laser weapons enable high-precision targeting with minimal collateral damage, reducing reliance on conventional ammunition.Rheinmetall and MBDA said the demonstrator proved its effectiveness during extensive sea trials, including more than 100 firing and tracking tests against a range of targets. These tests included so-called “blue sky” engagements, in which the laser tracks and engages targets without relying on background terrain to stabilize the beam.The firms said the system demonstrated the ability to track extremely small targets at long distances, citing tests in which it maintained stable tracking on an object roughly the size of a one-euro coin. The laser could precisely focus energy on the target, reducing the risk of overshooting and improving operational safety, even under challenging environmental conditions such as ship motion and atmospheric interference.After the yearlong sea trial, the laser demonstrator was transferred to the Laser Competence Center of the German armed forces’ Military Technical Service for Weapons and Ammunition in Meppen. There, it has been returned to operation for further testing, including land-based trials focused on drone defense.German Navy’s programRoman Köhne, head of Rheinmetall’s Weapons and Munitions division, said the planned joint venture reflects the benefits of close industrial and technological cooperation within Germany. He said both companies focused on their respective strengths from the outset, allowing them to deliver a mature product to the Bundeswehr in a relatively short time.Köhne added that a key objective of the partnership is to “nationalize” the technology, ensuring that development, production, and long-term support remain in Germany. He said the effort is intended to safeguard jobs, expand domestic industrial capacity, and strengthen national sovereignty and security of supply during crises.Thomas Gottschild, chief executive of MBDA Germany, said the planned company would set new standards for the development and production of military laser weapon systems designed and built in Germany. He said the joint venture highlights the value of years of collaboration and is aimed at bringing the proven maritime laser system to market quickly.By combining their complementary expertise, Gottschild said, Rheinmetall and MBDA aim to offer the German Navy a laser weapon system that is technologically advanced, fully qualified, and ready for operational use. The companies said the system would provide an additional layer of drone defense as navies adapt to evolving threats in the maritime domain.
Defense &Amp Military Drone German Navy Germany Laser Laser Weapon MBDA Naval Laser Weapon Rheinmetall
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