Story
Rheinmetall Nears Approval for German Naval Laser Weapon Contract
Summary
German lawmakers are expected to approve a contract worth up to €462 million ($527 million) with defense contractor Rheinmetall for a high-energy laser weapon system for naval vessels. The deal is part of a larger military procurement package valued at over €12 billion.
German lawmakers are reportedly set to approve a contract with Rheinmetall AG for a naval laser weapon system at a meeting on Wednesday. According to a confidential procurement document reviewed by Bloomberg, the deal is valued at up to €462 million ($527 million).
The high-energy laser system, a joint project between Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland, is designed to be mounted on frigate-sized ships to counter small, agile targets like drones at short and medium ranges. The first system is scheduled for delivery in 2029, with NKT Photonics Technology GmbH and Trumpf SE named as subcontractors.
The approval is one of more than a dozen military procurement deals, totaling over €12 billion, that lawmakers plan to greenlight. Members of the ruling coalition have indicated they will attach some unspecified conditions to the laser weapon proposal.
AdHowever, the weapon's deployment faces some uncertainty. The laser system was originally intended for the F126 frigate program, which the German government cancelled last month. Some lawmakers have expressed doubt that the German Navy will have vessels large enough to accommodate the container-sized weapon, as current plans involve procuring smaller MEKO A-200 frigates.