Diehl Defence has signed a contract with Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to adapt its IRIS-T SLM air defence system for deployment on the German Navy’s F125 frigates.
As part of the agreement, Diehl Defence will construct prototypes and carry out comprehensive test firings with the aim of making the IRIS-T SLM mission-capable on the F125 class.
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The planned integration is designed to enable the frigates to meet evolving airspace threat scenarios, according to the company statement.
The agreement follows a naval demonstration in October 2025, when Diehl Defence installed an IRIS-T SLM demonstrator on the C-deck of the frigate Baden-Württemberg during the Maritime Firing Exercise 2025.
The demonstrator’s anti-air warfare module was taken from concept to firing in less than 10 months, according to the company.
Diehl Defence said the system fulfilled the necessary test and evaluation criteria during the demonstration.
IRIS-T SLM is a medium-range air-defence system comprising a radar, a Common Tactical Operations Centre and several missile launchers. Its components are mounted on 20ft ISO frames, allowing the system to be transported and deployed as a mobile configuration.
The system uses the IRIS-T SLM interceptor against airborne threats. Diehl Defence gives the interceptor a range of up to 40km, while stating that the system’s effective range can extend to 60km when deployment distance is included. It can engage targets at altitudes of up to 20km.
The adaptation programme is intended to extend the system’s use from land-based operations to the F125 frigates.
Diehl Defence and BAAINBw have worked together on the project before the contract was signed, according to the company.
