MBDA and Rheinmetall Secure 'Hundreds of Millions of Euros' German Navy Laser Anti-Drone Contract
Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract worth hundreds of millions of euros with the ARGE HEL consortium — comprising MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH — to develop a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy. The system is scheduled to enter service in 2029 and has already logged 28,000 nautical miles of sea trials aboard the frigate SACHSEN, completing over 1,000 engagements against aerial, surface, and land targets.
Highlights
- BAAINBw signed a contract worth hundreds of millions of euros with the ARGE HEL consortium (MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition) on 9 June 2026 for a German Navy high-energy laser weapon system.
- The laser system is scheduled to enter operational service in 2029, covering the full maritime engagement chain from detection to terminal engagement.
- The demonstrator logged 28,000 nautical miles aboard frigate SACHSEN across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean, performing under adverse conditions.
- The system completed more than 1,000 engagements against aerial, surface, and land targets during over one year of testing, including trials at WTD91 in Meppen.
- The laser can focus energy onto an area of just a few centimetres, enabling high-precision, rapid engagement of moving targets even at lower power levels.
MBDA and Rheinmetall Secure German Navy Laser Anti-Drone Contract
On 9 June 2026, Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) formally signed a contract with the ARGE HEL working consortium — formed by MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH — commissioning the development of a high-energy laser (HEL) weapon system for the German Navy.
According to an MBDA press release, the contract is valued at hundreds of millions of euros, with the system scheduled to enter operational service in 2029. The contract scope encompasses a complete maritime-application system covering the full engagement chain, from detection and target tracking through to terminal engagement.
Emphasis on German Domestic Supply Chain and Technological Sovereignty
MBDA noted that the consortium has placed particular emphasis on German domestic supply chains and indigenous system expertise throughout the development process, with the aim of securing Germany's national sovereignty in this critical technology domain.
Extensive At-Sea Test Results
In March 2026, the naval laser demonstrator system staged multiple capability demonstrations for senior German delegations at the Defence Technology Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD91) in Meppen.
The demonstrator has been installed aboard the German frigate SACHSEN, accumulating 28,000 nautical miles of operations across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean — demonstrating robust performance even under adverse environmental conditions.
Over more than a year of testing, including deployments at WTD91, the system successfully completed more than 1,000 engagements against aerial, surface, and land targets.
Precision Focus and Rapid Engagement
MBDA elaborated on the system's technical advantages:
"Advanced beam quality and tracking capabilities allow the laser power to be focused with extreme precision, even on moving targets. The system jointly developed by MBDA and Rheinmetall can concentrate energy onto an area of just a few centimetres. Thanks to the very high energy density achieved, targets can be engaged more quickly, more precisely, and more effectively — even at comparatively lower laser power levels."
The signing of this contract marks a significant step forward in Germany's development of indigenous high-energy laser capabilities for counter-drone and counter-air threat missions, and further reinforces the momentum toward European defence technology autonomy.
For more information, visit: www.mbda-systems.com
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