Rheinmetall and MBDA in Germany are planning to establish a joint venture for their naval laser activities in the first quarter of 2026, Rheinmetall announced on 5 January 2026.
Based on their existing co-operation since 2019 and the successful implementation of a naval laser demonstrator, the joint venture will develop and provide high-performance, innovative laser weapon systems. These will initially be for the German Navy, which is to receive an operational laser weapon to complement its gun- and missile-based weapons.
Laser weapons can be particularly effective in countering drones and other highly agile targets at short and very short ranges. MBDA and Rheinmetall are well positioned to accomplish this task, as they earlier jointly developed a demonstrator that has already been integrated on a naval vessel and successfully tested under operational conditions for a year, during which all necessary capabilities to engage targets precisely, quickly and with minimal collateral damage were tested.
During its successful one-year trial period at sea the laser demonstrator performed more than 100 firing and tracking tests were against various targets
“Even when faced with the most 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,” Rheinmetall stated. “This level of precision prevents the weapon from overshooting the target, ensuring maximum safety.”
The laser demonstrator was then transferred to the Laser Competence Centre of the Military Technical Service for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing. It has since been taken back into operation and is also being used for further land-based drone defence testing.
Roman Köhne, head of Rheinmetall’s Weapons and Munitions division, said of the joint venture with MBDA, “This step demonstrates the potential of determined industrial and technological co-operation in Germany in order to produce cutting-edge technology. From the very beginning both partners have been focusing on their strengths. Hence, this has enabled us to offer a unique product in a short period of time to the Bundeswehr. And from the beginning, nationalising the technology was the main object. One of the goals is to maintain, create and expand jobs in Germany in the long term, as well as ensuring national sovereignty and security of supply in times of crisis.”
Thomas Gottschild, CEO of MBDA Germany, added, “With this GmbH (private limited company under German law), we are setting new standards in the development and production of state-of-the-art military laser weapon systems, designed and made in Germany. This accentuates the benefits of many years of collaboration and highlights the dedication of both companies to bringing the tried-and-tested maritime product to the market swiftly, and providing the Bundeswehr with additional drone defence capabilities. By combining our complementary, innovative core competencies, we can offer the German Navy a laser weapon system that is technologically advanced, qualified and operational.”
