According to Hardpunkt on May 30, 2024, the German company Diehl Defence plans to integrate its Iris-T SLM surface-to-air missile not only into the widely-used vertical launch system Mk41 by Lockheed Martin but also onto the "Baden-Württemberg"-class frigates of the German Navy. These F125 frigates are currently considered under-armed, making them suitable candidates for this integration.


Presently, the primary armament of the F125 frigates includes a 127mm Oto Melara main gun, limited in its effectiveness against aerial targets, two 27mm Mauser MLG 27 fully automatic naval guns, and eight 12.7mm heavy machine guns. Additionally, the ships feature the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system for short-range air defense, housed in two 21-cell launchers. Non-lethal weapons, such as water cannons and searchlights, are also included for non-provocative deterrence and defense. However, these frigates lack air defense missiles like the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) found on other frigates of similar size, which can counter high-speed, maneuvering anti-ship cruise missiles and low-velocity air threats such as helicopters and high-speed surface targets at ranges of up to 50 km. In comparison, the RAM has a much shorter range, typically around 10 km.

According to internal sources, Diehl Defence envisions the Iris-T SLM as a viable option for these frigates. The Iris-T SLM, a medium-range air defense missile already in service in Ukraine, features a maximum range of 40 km and can engage targets at altitudes up to 20 km. The missile's guidance system includes GPS-aided inertial navigation with a radar data link for mid-course guidance and an infrared seeker for terminal phase targeting, allowing it to engage a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles. Furthermore, the Iris-T SLM has a small inner dead zone that overlaps with the existing weapon systems on the F125, providing performance comparable to the ESSM.

A potential challenge is the current use of the space in front of the RAM launcher on the foredeck, which has been repurposed as a sports room. Installing a Vertical Launch System (VLS) would require significant modifications to the ship's structure, which is considered challenging. Therefore, an alternative solution must be found. Diehl suggests using a launcher system similar to the one mounted on trucks for land-based applications. This system is horizontally positioned during transport and hydraulically erected to a vertical position for launching. Such an approach could be adapted for the F125, with the launcher remaining horizontal during non-combat situations and only being raised for "combat cruises" to ensure readiness.


Up to two launchers, each with eight missile canisters, could be positioned on the ship's upper deck where containers are currently stored. According to Diehl, the brief heat generated during a missile launch would not significantly strain the deck. However, in the event of a hangfire, where a missile ignites but does not launch, a protective plate would be needed to safeguard the ship's structure. Such a plate is already used for the ship's Harpoon anti-ship missiles.



Will German Navy equip F125 frigates with Iris-T SLM air defense systems? (armyrecognition.com)



Iris-t slm 8연장 발사대를 2대 올린다고 함.

지금 구조에서 발사대를 장착하면 문제가 있어서.. 지상 이동식 발사대처럼..

평상시에는 수평으로 있다가 교전시에만 수직으로 변하는 방식으로 장착될거라고 함.

통합시험을 즉시 시행할 준비가 되어있다고 하는데..

최대 사거리 40km에 최대 고도가 20km인 이 미사일이 장착되면, RAM 2기가 최대 방공 전력인 지금보다 여건이 많이 좋아질듯