Rheinmetall, MBDA to Establish JV for Laser Weapons

Rheinmetall and MBDA in Germany will establish a joint venture in the first quarter of 2026 to develop naval laser weapons.

Based on their existing cooperation since 2019 and the implementation of a naval laser demonstrator, the new company will develop and provide high-performance, innovative laser weapon systems, initially for the navy.

The German Navy is to receive an operational laser weapon system to complement its guns and guided missiles. It is particularly effective in counter striking drones and other agile targets at short and very short ranges. MBDA and Rheinmetall are ideally positioned to accomplish this task, as they have earlier jointly developed a demonstrator that has already been integrated on a naval vessel and successfully tested under operational conditions for a year. All necessary capabilities to engage targets precisely, quickly, and with minimal collateral damage were attested.

Even when faced with challenging targets and adverse environmental conditions, the system has proven its ability to track a target the size of a One-Euro coin at a great distance with stability, and concentrate the energy of the laser weapon precisely on that target. This level of precision prevents the weapon from overshooting the target, ensuring maximum safety.

Within the framework of their existing partnership, the two companies have developed a system that meets all customer requirements.

Following a one-year trial period at sea, during which more than 100 firing and tracking tests were conducted against various targets, including ‘Blue Sky’ without using the landscape to capture the beam, the laser demonstrator was transferred to the Laser Competence Centre of the Military Technical Service for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing. It has been taken back into operation and is also being used for further land-based drone defence testing.