On 9 June 2026, 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.
“The laser weapon system will be operational in 2029, said MBDA in a press release. “The contract is worth hundreds of millions of euros. It 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.
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, according to MBDA. 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.”
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