German Navy could be using Rheinmetall laser weapon ‘by 2029’

29 Oct 2025

Announcement follows successful completion of trial phase at sea with MBDA.

Rheinmetall and MBDA have jointly developed a naval-based laser weapon.

Following the successful completion of a one-year trial phase at sea, defense contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA, in Germany, have transferred a laser demonstrator for the German Navy to the Laser Competence Center at the Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing.

Based on this, say the partners, an operational laser weapon system could be available to the German Navy as of 2029, “providing a powerful and cost-effective addition to conventional guided missiles”.

This week’s announcement by Rheinmetall said, “The demonstrator was successfully commissioned at the Laser Competence Center in Meppen. This represents an important step towards achieving rapid market and operational readiness for a future laser system for the Navy.”

The containerized demonstrator has already been successfully tested several times over the course of a year under real operational conditions at sea on board the German Navy frigate Sachsen. The tests comprised over 100 live-firing trials and significantly more tracking trials. With the support of WTD 91 in Meppen, the laser container has now been put into operation for further land-based drone defense testing.

Neutralizing drones

The laser weapon system offers new possibilities for counter-operations against targets. With its ability to precisely neutralize drones and other small, fast-moving targets, it addresses one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Rheinmetall contends: “An operational laser weapon system complements cannons and guided missiles, particularly for the defense against drones and drone swarms, as well as for attacking speedboats and, if necessary, guided missiles.”

The collaboration between Rheinmetall and MBDA in the field of laser weapons is longstanding. Since 2019, both companies have been working closely together to develop high-energy laser effectors. The work on the system is divided nearly equally between the two companies.

MBDA in Germany is responsible for target detection and tracking, the control console, and connecting the laser weapon demonstrator to the command-and-control system. Rheinmetall’s responsibilities include the aiming system, beam guidance and the demonstrator container, as well as the mechanical and electrical integration of the demonstrator on the deck of the frigate Sachsen and, ultimately, the high-energy laser source including its peripherals.