During the Maritime Firing Exercise 2025, the German Navy conducted a live-fire test of the IRIS-T SLM air defense system aboard the frigate BADEN-WURTTEMBERG (F-125 class).

The navalized demonstrator of the IRIS-T SLM system, installed amidships, successfully completed its first sea trials, confirming the high reliability already proven in land-based operations. The test, carried out by the German Navy in cooperation with Diehl Defence and the WTD 71 (Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 71, the Bundeswehr’s Technical Center for Naval Systems and Weapons), demonstrated the system’s capability to operate effectively in a maritime environment.

According to Diehl Defence, the main objective of the activity was to assess the technical feasibility of integrating the IRIS-T SLM onto naval platforms. The demonstrator employed the standard IRIS-T SLM missile, already operational in its ground-based configuration, with modifications to the launch and control subsystems to enable integration with the ship’s sensors and combat management system.

The project, completed in less than 10 months from inception to the first launches, represents the first practical demonstration of a naval configuration of the system and confirms the potential extension of the IRIS-T family to provide medium-range air defense capability for surface combatants.

Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and X.