Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on October 22, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Trumpf and Rohde & Schwarz are developing a laser-based system to detect and neutralize drones, enhancing European defense capabilities.
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -German laser maker Trumpf and defense tech firm Rohde & Schwarz said on Wednesday they are developing a system to detect, track, and shoot down drones with lasers.
Trumpf, best known as a supplier to computer chip equipment maker ASML, builds some of the most powerful lasers in the world. Rohde & Schwarz makes radar systems to detect, track and jam drones.
"Investing in European defense, and specifically counter-drone technology, is of utmost importance," Alexander Orellano of Rohde & Schwarz said in a statement. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
The announcement by the two firms comes as European airports have been shaken by a series of drone incursions, and the European Commission has said some kind of "drone wall" is needed for protection.
The companies said their efforts would be focused on using their technologies "solely for defense".
They said a laser-based system to counter drones would be more effective than current methods of stopping drones by jamming their signals or using physical projectiles to shoot them down.
Lasers are "highly accurate, instantly effective, capable of engaging multiple targets without reloading, rapidly deployable, and eliminate the risk of collateral damage," they said.
(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Chris Reese)
A laser-based drone defense system uses high-powered lasers to detect, track, and neutralize drones, offering a precise and effective method of countering drone threats.
Counter-drone technology refers to various methods and systems designed to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones, enhancing security in sensitive areas like airports.
Laser systems in defense are highly accurate, can engage multiple targets quickly, and reduce the risk of collateral damage compared to traditional methods like projectiles or jamming.
Rohde & Schwarz specializes in radar systems that detect, track, and jam drones, contributing to the development of comprehensive counter-drone technology.
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