Germany’s defence procurement agency has awarded MBDA Deutschland a contract to develop a demonstrator for an airborne laser weapon, marking a step towards assessing the feasibility of an operational laser capability for the German Air Force. Under the agreement, MBDA will procure key components for a laser pod intended for eventual flight operations. The project is also expected to draw on German supply chains and domestic systems expertise, supporting the country’s technological sovereignty in the strategic field. The company has not disclosed the intended carrier aircraft, laser power output, contract value or flight-testing schedule. Airborne laser weapons are primarily being developed to counter threats such as drones and cruise missiles, while similar systems could potentially protect naval vessels, ground vehicles, military personnel and critical infrastructure. Germany has treated laser technology as a strategic research and development priority since 2019, with the field designated a national key technology under the federal government’s SVI strategy and the Ministry of Defence. Separately, MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition have received a contract to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. Valued in the several-hundred-million-euro range, the programme covers a maritime laser system designed to integrate the full operational chain, from reconnaissance and target tracking to engagement. Delivery is scheduled for 2029.
