In May 2024 it became known Germans want to integrate IRIS-T SLM SAM system onto poorly armed F125 project frigates, and already in October 2025 first testing of initial IRIS-T SLM adaptation variant for these ships occurred.
Now discussion involves German military wanting to further develop work in this direction, specifically improving launchers. But against this backdrop, logical question arises whether problem with IRIS-T SLM surface-to-air missile supply for Armed Forces may result from this.
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More specifically, Hartpunkt portal writes that IRIS-T SLM manufacturer Diehl Defence should in near future receive order for creating standard 16-cell launchers, for which it should receive minimum €25 million, while actual expenditure may even reach €40 million.
For this budget Diehl Defence should manufacture fully functional prototype fully suitable for use from ship in open sea. It should be ready by early 2027, testing already planned for first half 2027, firing zone already reserved near Crete island area.
Two launchers per ship are planned with combined salvo of 32 missiles. Besides launcher itself, fire control system question also stands. Because designers will have to cross IRIS-T SLM software with F125 frigate onboard hardware.
Defense Express adds following. Germany built its F125 frigates in 2010s under concept that these ships would never have to fight at sea, and maximum required from them would be flag demonstration in remote world corners. So these ships came out poorly armed across all segments, specifically in air defense.
Against this backdrop, unsurprising Germans were forced into improvisation with IRIS-T SLM SAM, and even naval launches of Israeli-manufactured LORA ballistic missiles.
If Germans do bring IRIS-T on F125 frigates story to serial implementation, on one hand demand for corresponding surface-to-air missiles for German armed forces will obviously grow. But on other hand, planned Ukraine deliveries clearly go through protected programs, so concern about possible shortage for us due to one interesting German project has no basis for now.
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