The German Armed Forces Procurement Office has commissioned Diehl Defence to conduct a risk analysis of integrating the IRIS-T SLM guided missile system on a German Navy Class 125 (F125) frigate.
The analysis will include a level 3 research and technology study going up to a technical readiness level of level 6, corresponding to a system demonstrator.
It will be integrated with its existing land-based launchers, the procurement office underlined.
Four-Stage Analysis
The four-stage study will include the “analysis of the operating conditions and interfaces as part of an integration at software level” in the first stage.
In the second stage, “design and delivery of a mounting frame for two land-based IRIS-T SLM launchers on an F125.”
Finally, the system will be integrated with the vessel in the third stage followed by the commissioning of the demonstrator along with implementing a “function chain verification.”
IRIS-T SLM
A surface-to-air version of the IRIS-T air-to-air guided missile, the SLM has an estimated range of 40 kilometers (25 miles).
The system was contracted for in-service use by the German military in 2017. It received initial operational capability with the German Air Force in September 2024.
The land-based system was initially developed to be mounted on trucks. Later, a containerized version was developed for additional modularity and to place it onto other platforms.
Diehl is also developing the system’s naval version, which can launch the missiles from the Mk 41 vertical launching system.
F125
The first of four vessels of the class was commissioned in 2019 and the last in 2022.
It has been designed for low and medium intensity maritime stabilization operations such as maritime surveillance and sea-to-land tactical fire support.
The IRIS-T SLM will considerably enhance the vessel’s firepower as it currently lacks anti-air and anti-submarine warfare capability.
The lead ship, Baden-Württemberg, is reportedly likely to be integrated with the missile demonstrator during its routine shipyard stay, beginning at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
Test firing is expected at the end of next year. If successful, the capability will be integrated on all the F125 vessels.
