Diehl Defence | Contract for the Further Development of IRIS-T Block II Signed
Defence Redefined
Published on 01/02/2025 at 12:10

At the end of December, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and Diehl Defence signed the contract for the development and series production of the IRIS-T Block II Overall Missile System. 

According to a related announcement, the contract was realized in the shortest possible time by the IRIS-T Project Management Office (PMO), BAAINBw and Diehl Defence.

In addition to Germany as the lead nation, Sweden, Spain, and Italy also join the development program. The BAAINBw signed the contract on behalf of this consortium. The IRIS-T Block II contract marks an important milestone for the future of IRIS-T.

IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System—Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled) is a European short-range air-to-air missile. In its first version, the missile was developed and produced under the lead of Diehl Defence in cooperation with industrial consortium partners from Sweden, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Norway.

Also read: KF-21 | First successful firing of IRIS-T air-to-air missile

The IRIS-T project reflects the capability of European cooperation in the defence sector and demonstrates the excellent developments that the European defence industry is capable of. Diehl Defence, the main contractor in the IRIS-T program, will continue to play a leading role in the further development of the missile.

Meanwhile, the air forces of 13 nations rely on the outstanding capabilities of IRIS-T. Since its introduction in 2005, more than 5,000 missiles have been delivered. IRIS-T is among the standard armaments of the Eurofigther/Typhoon and Gripen and is integrated into the platforms F-16, Tornado, EF-18, KF-21, and F-5E.

The missile at issue can engage enemy fighter aircraft as well as air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. We will continuously improve the missile and continue to set new benchmarks with new capabilities in its original air-to-air role. Thus, the multi-nation-developer consortium ensures the future of IRIS-T.

Also read: Intracom Defence – Diehl Defence Cooperation | WiSPRevo integrated onto the IRIS-T Air Defence System

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION

READ MORE

RECENTLY

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This