MBDA Deutschland has secured a contract from Germany’s defence procurement agency to develop an airborne laser weapon demonstrator for the German Air Force. The project will assess the technical feasibility of an airborne laser capability and establish the foundation for a potential future operational system. MBDA will procure key components for a laser pod designed for eventual flight operations, with the programme expected to involve German suppliers and domestic systems expertise to strengthen national technological sovereignty. Details regarding the carrier aircraft, laser power, contract value and flight-test timeline have not been disclosed. Airborne laser weapons are primarily intended to engage drones and cruise missiles, although related technologies could also provide protection for ships, military vehicles, troops and critical infrastructure. Germany has prioritised laser research and development since 2019, designating it a national key technology under the federal government’s SVI strategy and the Ministry of Defence. In a separate programme, MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition are developing a high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy under a contract worth several hundred million euros. The maritime system will cover the operational sequence from reconnaissance and target tracking through to engagement, with delivery planned for 2029.
