German Navy ships could be equipped with combat lasers by 2029. The new installation will make it possible to shoot down drones, writes Breaking Defense.
Rheinmetall and MBDA, the two companies that have been installing the system for 10 years, have announced the completion of sea trials. An anti-drone laser demonstration model has been handed over to the government for further testing at the Laser Inspection Center.
“Successful tests carried out on the frigate Saxony demonstrated for the first time in Europe the tracking capabilities, efficiency and accuracy of the demonstrator in real operating conditions,” the developers said.
During testing, the system underwent more than 100 live fire tests and many target tracking tests. According to the announcement, this technology has shown high accuracy and reaction speed in the fight against drones.
Rheinmetall is responsible for integrating the laser into the ship and developing the targeting system, while MBDA is in charge of the fire control hardware.
In September, it became known that the Saffron combat laser was used during the Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 exercises. This complex is capable of destroying small drones at a distance of up to one kilometer.
