Germany's Navy is taking the threat from russian missiles and drones to its fleet seriously. The F125 frigates, notably weak in air defense, are set to receive 32 Ukraine-proven Iris-T SLM interceptors each.
This was announced by Diehl Defence to hartpunkt at the ILA Berlin 2026 air show. The installation will consist of two vertical launch units carrying 16 interceptors apiece, fitted with deflector plates beneath to protect the deck.
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Iris-T SLM was previously tested aboard a frigate, but that trial used a launcher that differed little from the land-based variant. Work is now underway on a dedicated naval version.
Among the changes, the new variant will eliminate the ground support legs and hydraulics used to raise the launcher to the 90-degree firing position, saving both space and weight. A prototype is planned for completion in 2027, with the first launches from it expected the same year.
Defense Express notes that this adaptation makes good sense, as it allows the frigates' air defense capability to be substantially upgraded without requiring major structural modifications to the hull a constraint that has created serious dilemmas elsewhere, as seen in Spain's case.
Iris-T SLM has proven itself in Ukrainian hands against drones and cruise missiles including the Shahed, Kh-101, and Kalibr at ranges of up to 40km. Production of the interceptor family is also being actively scaled up by Diehl Defence, with integration into the Aegis systemalso planned.
For the F125 class, this will be a particularly significant upgrade. The frigates are currently equipped only with naval guns and the short-range RAM Block II missile system, meaning Iris-T SLM would give them a genuine medium-range air defence capability for the first time.
Iris-T SLM is not, however, designed to intercept ballistic or hypersonic missiles such as the Zircon anti-ship missile. A specialised air defence frigate the F127 is being developed for that role, and may receive up to 96 vertical launch cells for surface-to-air and cruise missiles.
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