German defense companies Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland are planning to establish a joint venture in early 2026 aimed at developing and producing laser-based weapon systems. The new entity, expected to be formed as a private limited company under German law, will initially focus on naval applications to support the German Navy’s counter-drone and close-in air defense requirements.
The joint venture’s primary objective will be the development of naval laser weapon systems designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles and other short-range aerial threats. These directed-energy weapons are intended to complement existing shipboard cannons and guided missile systems, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution for modern naval air defense.
The initiative builds on years of collaboration between Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland, including the development of a naval laser weapon demonstrator that has already completed one year of operational sea trials against multiple target types. The companies have been jointly working on laser weapon technologies since 2019, gradually maturing the system through laboratory testing and maritime deployments.
Under the partnership, MBDA Deutschland is responsible for target detection, tracking, and integration with command-and-control networks, while Rheinmetall provides the laser source, beam control, and aiming systems, as well as integration with shipboard platforms. This division of labor reflects each company’s core expertise in missile systems and advanced weapon technologies.
The collaboration achieved a major milestone in 2022, when a Sachsen-class frigate of the German Navy successfully fired a high-energy laser weapon in the Baltic Sea, engaging drones at close range. In 2024, the two firms announced a renewed push to develop an affordable naval laser weapon capable of reducing reliance on expensive ship-launched air defense missiles.
The Bundeswehr took ownership of the laser demonstrator in late 2025, with further testing planned to expand its use beyond maritime environments. Additional trials, including land-based counter-drone applications, are expected to support progress toward operational capability around 2029.
