DragonFire Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (MDC)
£316M UK MOD contract for MBDA to deliver the DragonFire laser directed-energy weapon minimum deployable capability to Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers.
A 29-month contract to deliver a DragonFire Minimum Deployable Capability giving Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers an extra layer of defence against drones and other airborne threats, following trials at the Hebrides range that downed drones flying at up to 650 km/h. DragonFire will be the first high-power laser weapon fielded by any European nation; the programme sustains or creates nearly 600 UK jobs, with Leonardo UK building the turret-mounted beam-director and QinetiQ developing the 50kW laser source. Four Type 45s are slated for DragonFire fits, with government commitment to two further ship fits beyond this contract.
Award detail
- Agency
- UK Ministry of Defence / Royal Navy
- Award ID
- Undisclosed
- Ceiling value
- £316M
- Vehicle
- Direct award — Type 45 destroyer integration
- Awarded
- 2025-11-20
- Period of performance ends
- Undisclosed
Known subcontractors1
Programs0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What is the DragonFire Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (MDC) contract?
- A 29-month contract to deliver a DragonFire Minimum Deployable Capability giving Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers an extra layer of defence against drones and other airborne threats, following trials at the Hebrides range that downed drones flying at up to 650 km/h. DragonFire will be the first high-power laser weapon fielded by any European nation; the programme sustains or creates nearly 600 UK jobs, with Leonardo UK building the turret-mounted beam-director and QinetiQ developing the 50kW laser source. Four Type 45s are slated for DragonFire fits, with government commitment to two further ship fits beyond this contract.
- Which agency awarded the DragonFire Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (MDC) contract?
- The DragonFire Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (MDC) contract was awarded by UK Ministry of Defence / Royal Navy under a Direct award — Type 45 destroyer integration vehicle.
- How much is the DragonFire Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (MDC) contract worth?
- The DragonFire Laser Directed-Energy Weapon (MDC) contract has a value of £316M, awarded on 2025-11-20.
Sources & citations2
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
UK MOD awarded MBDA a £316M contract to deliver DragonFire laser weapon MDC to Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers
UK Government (GOV.UK): Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed dronesVerified2025-11-20 - 2
Leonardo UK is designing the turret-mounted beam-director unit and QinetiQ is developing the 50kW laser source for DragonFire; the programme sustains/creates nearly 600 UK jobs
GOV.UK: Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed dronesVerified2025-11-20