Germany is moving forward with plans to integrate the IRIS-T SLM air defense system aboard its F125 frigates following a successful shipboard demonstration.
German defense company Diehl Defence and the country’s defense procurement agency signed a contract on October 2 covering the adaptation of the ground-based air defense system for naval operations.
The agreement follows a maritime firing demonstration conducted with the frigate Baden-Württemberg in October 2025. The successful trial demonstrated the feasibility of employing the IRIS-T SLM architecture from a naval platform and integrating it with the ship’s existing combat infrastructure.
No production timeline or quantity of operational systems has yet been announced. The current contract focuses on the development, integration and testing required to make the IRIS-T SLM mission-capable aboard Germany’s F125 frigates.
Diehl Defence said the integration will enable the German Navy to respond to future airspace threats using advanced air defense technology.
IRIS-T SLM Capabilities
The IRIS-T SLM is a medium-range, ground-based air defense system developed by Diehl Defence. It is designed to counter a range of aerial threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
A typical IRIS-T SLM fire unit consists of mobile missile launchers, a multifunctional radar and a Common Tactical Operations Center (TOC) responsible for airspace surveillance, threat assessment and engagement control.
The system uses an interceptor derived from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, adapted for surface-to-air engagements. Diehl lists an effective engagement range of approximately 40 kilometers (24 miles) and an altitude capability of up to 20 kilometers (12 miles).
Adapting IRIS-T SLM for F125 Frigates
For the F125 programme, Germany is not simply installing a conventional land-based IRIS-T SLM launcher on a warship. Instead, the architecture is being adapted to operate within the frigate’s existing combat system and sensor network.
During the 2025 demonstration, the naval configuration was connected to the F125’s onboard sensors and combat systems during live testing. This approach is intended to provide the frigates with an integrated medium-range air defense capability while maximizing the use of existing shipboard infrastructure.
The programme represents an important step in enhancing the German Navy’s ability to defend its surface combatants against evolving aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles and drones.
