The German procurement authorities have awarded Rheinmetall a contract to develop a key future laser weapon system component. At the end of the second quarter of 2020, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) awarded a +10 € million contract Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH to fabricate a laser source demonstrator.
Several navies have already embarked on testing such weapons, The US Navy has recently tested one in the USA, and another is under development for a trial by the Royal navy. Laser weapons are considered mainly for defensive roles.