French navy tests laser weapon

The French navy tested a laser weapon system on its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during a stopover in June 2026, as reported by Cols Bleus, the official magazine of the French navy, according to Zone Militaire.

Laser system details

The tested system included a turret with cameras, a LiDAR sensor for measuring distances with light pulses, a cooling unit to manage heat, and a control panel. The setup took four hours to install on the carrier.

Identification of the laser

Zone Militaire believes the tested laser may be the HELMA-P, based on a photo in Cols Bleus. This system is produced by CILAS, a company acquired by Safran and MBDA in 2022, which specializes in laser systems for military use.

HELMA-P capabilities

The HELMA-P emits a 2 kilowatt laser beam, capable of targeting drones up to one kilometer away in under ten seconds. It can detect targets within a three-kilometer radius and has been used before, notably during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Laser use in other services

The French Air and Space Force has already used HELMA-P systems, and the DGA ordered additional units for the Army, Air Force, and Navy in 2024. The Navy previously tested the system on the frigate Forbin in 2023.

Cost advantages of lasers

Laser weapons offer a significant cost advantage over traditional missiles. A single laser shot costs only a few euros, while an Aster anti-air missile costs about one million euros. Lasers can fire continuously as long as the ship has power and cooling capacity.

Other anti-drone measures

The French Navy is also testing other systems, such as the Rampart launcher, spotted on the Mistral helicopter carrier in September. This system is designed to destroy cheap drones without using missiles. Meanwhile, the U.S. plans to install a similar laser at Cape Canaveral, Florida.