Germany is preparing to adapt the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air-defense system for deployment aboard its F125 frigates following a successful shipboard demonstration. Diehl Defence and Germany’s defense procurement agency signed a contract on October 2 covering the development and testing required to make the system mission-capable at sea.The agreement follows a maritime firing exercise conducted with the frigate Baden-Württemberg in October last year. Germany has not yet announced either a production timetable or the number of operational naval systems. The current contract is focused specifically on the adaptation and qualification work required for frigate deployment.Diehl Defence said the integration would allow the German Navy to respond to future airspace threats with modern technology. IRIS-T SLM is a medium-range surface-to-air defense system designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones.A standard IRIS-T SLM fire unit combines mobile missile launchers, radar and a Common Tactical Operations Center responsible for airspace surveillance, threat evaluation and fire control. Its interceptor is derived from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile and is configured for surface-to-air engagements, with an effective range of about 40 kilometers (24 miles) and altitude coverage reaching 20 kilometers (12 miles).For the F125 program, Germany is modifying the system rather than simply installing the standard land-based launcher aboard a ship. The 2025 demonstrator connected the naval adaptation with the frigate’s existing sensors and combat-system architecture during live testing.
