Germany to Get Operational Naval Laser Weapons as Rheinmetall and MBDA Plan Joint Venture by 2026

Berlin, Germany — Europe’s push toward directed-energy weapons entered a decisive phase as Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany confirmed plans to establish a joint venture for naval laser weapon systems in the first quarter of 2026, building on more than half a decade of successful cooperation.

The planned Germany-based GmbH (private limited company) will focus on the development, production, and sustainment of high-performance laser weapon systems, with the German Navy as the initial customer. The move follows the successful sea trials of a naval laser demonstrator, jointly developed by the two firms and tested under real operational conditions for over a year.

From Demonstrator to Deployed Weapon

The new joint venture is the culmination of a partnership launched in 2019, when Rheinmetall and MBDA combined their complementary expertise in weapons integration, sensors, fire control, and effectors. That cooperation delivered a fully integrated naval laser demonstrator, which was mounted on a German naval vessel and subjected to an extended operational evaluation.

According to Rheinmetall’s press release, the system has now proven all critical operational parameters, including precision tracking, sustained engagement, rapid reaction time, and minimal collateral damage—key requirements for modern naval air defence.

Following the completion of its one-year sea trial, the demonstrator was transferred to the Laser Competence Centre of the Military Technical Service for Weapons and Ammunition, operated by WTD 91 in Meppen. There, the system has been re-activated for further testing, including land-based counter-drone trials, expanding its potential use cases beyond shipborne defence.

Designed to Defeat Drones at Close Range

The laser weapon is intended to complement naval guns and guided missiles, filling a critical gap in short-range and very-short-range defence. Its primary mission is the engagement of drones and highly agile aerial threats, which are increasingly challenging and costly to counter using conventional interceptors.

During trials, the system demonstrated the ability to track and engage targets with extreme precision, including objects as small as a one-euro coin at long distances, even under adverse environmental conditions. Engineers highlighted the laser’s ability to concentrate energy precisely on the target, preventing overshoot and ensuring maximum safety for surrounding structures and personnel.

More than 100 firing and tracking tests were conducted during the sea-based evaluation phase, including challenging “Blue Sky” scenarios, where the laser beam was not absorbed by terrain or background objects—one of the most demanding test conditions for directed-energy weapons.

Industrial Sovereignty and ‘Made in Germany’ Technology

Rheinmetall emphasized that the joint venture is not only a technological step forward but also a strategic industrial decision.

“This step demonstrates the potential of determined industrial and technological cooperation in Germany in order to produce cutting-edge technology,” said Roman Köhne, Head of Rheinmetall’s Weapons and Munitions division. He noted that from the outset, both companies focused on nationalising key technologies, with the goal of long-term job creation, security of supply, and national sovereignty, particularly in times of crisis.

The venture is expected to anchor critical laser weapon know-how inside Germany, reducing reliance on external suppliers and strengthening the domestic defence industrial base.

Accelerating Capability for the Bundeswehr

MBDA Germany echoed this assessment, stressing the operational urgency of bringing laser weapons into service.

“With this GmbH, we are setting new standards in the development and production of state-of-the-art military laser weapon systems, designed and made in Germany,” said Thomas Gottschild, CEO of MBDA Germany. He added that the partnership enables a swift transition from a proven maritime demonstrator to a qualified and operational system, delivering additional drone defence capabilities to the Bundeswehr.

By combining Rheinmetall’s experience in weapon integration and naval systems with MBDA’s strengths in sensors, command-and-control, and guided weapon architectures, the companies aim to field a combat-ready laser system suitable for fleet-wide deployment.

A New Phase for Naval Air Defence

With the joint venture targeted for Q1 2026, Germany is positioning itself among the leading nations in operational naval laser weapons. The system’s ability to engage drones at low cost per shot, with near-instantaneous response and deep magazines, makes it a critical tool as navies worldwide confront the rapid proliferation of unmanned threats.

Once operational, the Rheinmetall-MBDA laser weapon is expected to become a permanent element of German naval air defence, marking a shift from experimental directed-energy concepts to frontline, deployable capability—and signaling a broader transformation in how future naval wars may be fought.