MBDA Unveils Hybrid Laser-Missile System to Counter Drone Threats

BERLIN — As European nations confront rising drone threats and the escalation of uncrewed systems in conflicts like Ukraine, MBDA has unveiled a hybrid defense platform combining a high-energy laser with a missile interceptor. Introduced at the Berlin Air Show, the system is designed to tackle small, fast, and cost-effective aerial targets, which the company identifies as an escalating security challenge.

The hybrid DEWS-L laser weapon, paired with MBDA’s DEFENDAIR guided missile, provides overlapping engagement ranges to address multi-threat scenarios. The laser targets close-range threats such as drone swarms, as demonstrated in strategic visuals shared during a company presentation. Meanwhile, the missile system extends coverage against longer-range and more resilient targets.

This integrated approach aligns with global military priorities to counter drone proliferation affordably. Israel’s Iron Beam laser defense system, already operational, underscores the growing adoption of such technologies. MBDA highlights its own leadership in cost-efficient laser development, including the UK’s DragonFire project—a $13-per-strike system that achieved its first live-fire success in 2024 off Scotland’s coast.

The new platform reflects MBDA’s broader strategy to bolster European precision strike capabilities, alongside innovations like uncrewed attack drones, advanced missiles, and hypersonic systems. German defense demands, according to MBDA Germany’s Thomas Gottschild, are shifting toward precision strikes while conventional munition needs surge amid ongoing conflicts.

“Replenishing these stocks is a prolonged challenge—for industry, it’s both a hurdle and an opportunity,” Gottschild stated, signaling MBDA’s push to meet rapidly evolving defense requirements. The Berlin-based firm continues refining its portfolio to balance long-term innovation with immediate battlefield readiness.

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