Germany’s military procurement office, BAAINBw, has partnered with Diehl Defence to develop and produce the next variant of the IRIS-T missile system. The IRIS-T Block II program agreement was finalized in late December, with BAAINBw signing the contract on behalf of a four-nation development program that also includes Sweden, Spain and Italy.
The IRIS-T, short for Infrared Imaging System–Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled, is a short-range, guided missile capable of engaging enemy aircraft and intercepting air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. In addition to being an armament for aircraft, the IRIS-T can also be deployed in ground-based air defense systems, such as the IRIS-T SLS, and has demonstrated anti-sea capabilities. It was developed in cooperation with companies from Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Spain, with Diehl Defence, based in Überlingen, serving as the main contractor.
Currently, 13 nations use the IRIS-T missile, with over 5,000 units delivered since 2005. The missile is standard armament on platforms such as the Eurofighter/Typhoon and Gripen and is integrated into the F-16, Tornado, EF-18, KF-21 and F-5E aircraft.
In September 2024, the German Air Force achieved initial operating capability for Diehl Defence’s ground-based IRIS-T SLM system, marking a significant milestone in Germany’s air defense capabilities. This system uses the IRIS-T surface-launched missile and is designed to counter aerial threats from aircraft, missiles and drones.