Germany confirms drone-destroying laser weapon for German Navy by 2029 — 100Kw version will zap 1000+ mph…

• Germany advances a Naval laser weapon toward operational deployment by 2029
• Future 100kW laser aims to counter faster and larger aerial threats
• More than 1,000 laser shots validated performance during extended naval trials

Germany has confirmed plans to field a high-energy laser weapon aboard naval vessels by 2029, aimed primarily at intercepting drones.

Defense contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA signed a contract in June 2026 worth several hundred million euros to build the complete system.

The program follows years of testing a demonstrator aboard the frigate Sachsen, which fired more than 1,000 shots during trials.

From demonstrator to deployable weapon

The demonstrator currently operates at roughly 20 kilowatts, sufficient for neutralizing small drones and light surface targets near naval vessels.

Future versions are expected to exceed 100 kilowatts, a substantial increase intended to counter larger and considerably faster aerial threats.

During trials, the demonstrator covered roughly 28,000 nautical miles between the...

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