European defense giant MBDA has unveiled its new DEFENDAIR-DEWS-L system at the ILA Berlin 2026 air show, designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. It combines missile armament with a combat laser, and will most likely not be available before 2029.
According to the company, the goal is to create a comprehensive means of engaging small, fast, and inexpensive targets such as drones, with cost-effective interception as a key objective.
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The system uses 24 DEFENDAIR missiles previously known as SADM and first demonstrated in 2022 with an advertised engagement range of over 5 km.
The laser component's name has not been disclosed, but it draws on MBDA's decade-long work in directed energy weapons. The system uses a combination of electro-optical and radar sensors for targeting.
Defense Express notes that this is a notable development, as DEFENDAIR missiles are also being offered for integration with other air defense systems. For the Bundeswehr, for instance, they are being integrated into the Skyranger 30 air defense gun system.
The missiles themselves are not yet ready, however. In November 2025, Germany allocated €490 million for them, with two-thirds earmarked for development and certification and the remainder funding the first production batch. At the time, series production was planned to begin in 2029, with deliveries in 2030.
Timelines may be accelerated going forward, but if not, the new combined MBDA air defense system will most likely not be available before 2029–2030. The readiness level of the laser component remains unknown.
On lasers: MBDA is participating in the development of the DragonFire project for the United Kingdom which has, incidentally, been promised to Ukraine as well. The expertise in developing such weapons is therefore present. It is also worth recalling that MBDA has agreed on cooperation with Ukroboronprom's Ukrainian Armored Vehicles enterprise, including on counter-drone systems meaning that DEFENDAIR-DEWS-L could conceivably reach Ukraine at some point.
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