German Defense Ministry Awards Contract for Laser Weapon System Operational by 2029 (opex360.com)

• Contract value: several hundred million euros
• Operational target: 2029
• Based on 20 kW demonstrator, scalable to 100 kW

"The German Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) awarded a contract worth several hundred million euros to a joint venture of Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland. The goal is to develop an operational high-energy laser weapon system for the German Navy by 2029. The system is based on a 20 kW demonstrator that achieved over 1000 successful shots against air, sea, and land targets during trials."