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. 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 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. 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. As main contractor in the IRIS-T program, Diehl Defence is a competent partner that will continue to play its 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 armament of the Eurofigther/Typhoon and Gripen and is integrated into the platforms F-16, Tornado, EF-18, KF-21 and F-5E. Not only enemy fighter aircraft can be engaged but also attacking air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. The pilot is even able to successfully counter attacks from the rear without having to change the aircraft’s course.
The missile will be improved continuously and will continue to set benchmarks with new capabilities in its original air-to-air role. Thus, the future of IRIS-T is ensured by the multi-nations-developer-consortium.
