Rheinmetall-MBDA’s Laser based CUAV System.
Rheinmetall and MBDA’s German Laser Weapon System: ReadinessDÜSSELDORF/SHROBENHAUSEN, October 28, 2025 — Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany have reached a significant milestone in the development of a high-energy laser weapon system for maritime defense. After completing a year-long trial phase at sea, the two defense giants have transferred a laser demonstrator to the Laser Competence Centre at the Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing. This move signals that the innovative weapon system, which has shown great potential during previous trials, is now one step closer to market readiness.
The system, designed to neutralize a range of threats, including drones and small fast-moving targets, is expected to be available to the German Navy by 2029. This would provide the Navy with a powerful, cost-effective addition to conventional guided missile defense systems. The next phase of testing, which will focus on land-based drone defense, is set to demonstrate the laser system’s capability to deal with a growing range of modern threats in maritime security.
Demonstrator Tested on Frigate SACHSEN
The containerized laser weapon demonstrator, which has already undergone multiple successful tests, was first deployed on the German Navy’s frigate SACHSEN. The trials at sea proved the laser’s robustness and operational reliability under real-world conditions, including over 100 live-fire tests and many more tracking exercises. The system’s ability to track and engage drone targets at sea has been a key focus, and the tests confirmed its high-speed reaction time and precision in countering such threats.
“We are extremely pleased with the results of these trials,” said Dr. Ralf David, Head of Rheinmetall’s Laser Systems Division. “The system has not only shown its robustness but also its precision and effectiveness in combating the growing challenge of drones. We are confident that this technology will play a key role in the future of naval defense.”
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A Leap Forward in Counter-Drone Defense
The laser weapon system offers a revolutionary solution to one of the most pressing challenges of modern defense: countering non-cooperative targets like drones and drone swarms. With their ability to neutralize threats with speed and accuracy, laser systems could become a game-changer, particularly for the defense of naval assets against low-cost, high-frequency drone attacks.
The system’s unique capabilities make it an ideal complement to traditional defense systems like cannons and guided missiles. While conventional weapons can provide broader area defense, the laser system excels in providing precise, immediate response capabilities, particularly in close-range scenarios. It can target and destroy speedboats, guided missiles, and even mortar and artillery shells in their final approach — something that conventional weapons are less effective at handling.
In the future, the system may also be upgraded to intercept more advanced threats, including supersonic missiles, rockets, and other high-speed projectiles, broadening its operational scope and increasing its strategic value.
German Navy Frigate Sachsen tested high-energy anti-drone laser weapon system.
Innovative Technologies “Made in Germany”
The laser system is built upon a foundation of cutting-edge German technology, developed with years of expertise in optics, sensors, and beam guidance. Rheinmetall’s work on the demonstrator includes the laser aiming system, beam guidance, and the mechanical integration of the system into naval platforms, such as the frigate SACHSEN. Meanwhile, MBDA Germany focuses on critical components like target detection and tracking, the control console, and the integration of the laser system with command-and-control systems.
The collaboration between Rheinmetall and MBDA has been ongoing since 2019, and the two companies have worked together seamlessly to advance the project. Rheinmetall’s expertise in laser beam generation and MBDA’s strengths in advanced tracking and control technologies have combined to create a system that is both highly effective and uniquely suited to the needs of modern naval defense.
The Path Ahead: Towards 2029 and Beyond
With the laser demonstrator now transitioning to land-based drone defense testing at WTD 91, both Rheinmetall and MBDA are gearing up for the next phase in the system’s development. The goal is to ensure that the system is fully operational and ready for deployment on naval vessels by 2029. The successful completion of these tests will pave the way for mass production and integration into the German Navy’s defense capabilities.
The laser weapon system represents a new frontier in defense technology. As military forces worldwide grapple with increasingly sophisticated drone threats, systems like this could redefine defense strategies. The ability to precisely neutralize targets without the need for costly ammunition, and with the added benefit of scalability, could prove invaluable to the future of maritime security.
Rheinmetall and MBDA’s close collaboration, supported by the expertise of WTD 91, underscores the long-term potential of this project, which could eventually extend beyond drone defense to broader applications in missile defense and more. The laser weapon system is poised to become an integral component of the German Navy’s defense arsenal — enhancing its ability to protect assets in an increasingly complex and dynamic global security environment.
