According to German press focused on defense technologies, Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland have negotiated in the high-energy laser effectors domain. Both companies intend to construct, integrate and test a laser demonstrator for the German Navy’s corvette K130.
As commonly known, lasers constitute a whole new dimension in defence technology, engaging targets at the speed of light with extreme precision and minimal collateral damage. Now, for the first time ever, this capability is to be investigated under quasi-operational conditions using a demonstrator installed onboard a German corvette. The details and division of responsibilities between the two companies will be determined as soon as the performance specification is made available by the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-service Support, Germany’s military procurement agency.
Within the scope of joint project, Peter Heilmeier, Head of Sales and Business Development at MBDA Deutschland GmbH, notes that “cooperation between Rheinmetall and MBDA will be particularly beneficial for the Bundeswehr. Both companies will be leveraging their respective special strengths to make this German Navy project a resounding success.”
Werner Krämer, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, summarized the agreement: “We’re going to be cooperating very closely to put the military potential of laser technology to work for the Bundeswehr, boosting its operational readiness and combat effectiveness. Compared to other countries, too, our two companies possess extraordinary capabilities. Lasers offer new tactical possibilities on land, at sea and in the air. In partnership with the German Navy, we want to press ahead with this new technology.”
The companies did not provide details on whether the system would require its own power source to be installed or whether the first five ships in the class already generate enough power to support the system. A batch of another five units is currently under construction with delivery scheduled to be completed by 2025.
