German Naval Forces will receive their own German combat laser developed and manufactured through joint efforts of the national defense-industrial complex specifically Rheinmetall and the German segment of pan-European conglomerate MBDA.
The companies in their official statement announced plans to create a joint venture set to operate in this year's first quarter, focusing on these innovative weapons systems. As noted, primarily for the naval fleet, which can also be interpreted as potentially expanding into land and air combat laser spheres later.
Read more: US Deploys Delta, SEAL Team 6, Venezuela Op Veterans to UK, But One Tanker Seems Too Small Target
Rheinmetall and MBDA collaboration in lasers has very strong foundation, as back in June 2022 the companies installed technology demonstrator LWD aboard German frigate F219 Sachsen (of the eponymous class). During trials lasting until September 2023, six separate test cycles with over 100 firings were conducted.
After this, emphasis on developing this system in public space disappeared. But in October 2025, Rheinmetall noted the technology demonstrator was transferred to German defense ministry's research structure, the Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91), where it's already being tested as a ground-based counter-drone solution. Meanwhile, demonstrator characteristics were never announced.
However, in this German defense companies' decision, attention should be paid that their project essentially duplicates another European solution already on track for installation on warships. Moreover, it's being developed within the same MBDA structure but in its British segment this is DragonFire.
London already has an approved plan to install DragonFire on Type 45 destroyers from 2027. Meanwhile, Rheinmetall stated last October that their combat laser weapon system could be available to German Navy by 2029. So the British solution leads the German by two years.
Also worth adding: another powerful national manufacturer participates in DragonFire development Italian conglomerate Leonardo. It was chosen as developer of European short-range laser air defense within the EU (which Great Britain exited). So despite DragonFire appearing sooner and having chances to become a pan-European solution, German defense companies aren't planning to simply surrender and throw their joint works result in the trash. But ultimately this is again about situations where national projects prevail over joint ones.
Read more: White House Drops the Mask: "it's OUR Hemisphere" Arctic Resources, Not Security, Drive Greenland Grab
