The German Navy has been testing a new air defence missile off the coast of northern Norway as part of Exercise Andøya, its annual live-firing exercise.
This year’s test programme began on Monday and is the German Navy’s largest in decades, with more than 50 missile launches planned across two weeks, it said in a recent press statement. Torpedo and artillery firings are also scheduled.
The tests, staged in the firing range around the Norwegian archipelago of Andøya, are including Army and Air Force elements as well as selected international partners in a bid to make conditions as realistic as possible.
One of the tests already carried out involved the German F125 frigate Baden-Württemberg, which has been fitted out with a navalised version of Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SLM air defence system.
The ground-based version of the IRIS-T system was developed under contract from the Bundeswehr to defend against a range of air threats including jet fighters, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones.
It has been used in combat in Ukraine
The SL variants have an enhanced rocket motor and the SLM medium-range version can counter threats at distances of up to about 25 miles. The missile can be remotely controlled once fired via data link and on terminal approach is self-guiding onto its target.
A Diehl press statement revealed: “A so-called AAW module (Anti Air Warfare module) was developed in record time in close cooperation with the customer and integrated on the C-Deck of the frigate “Baden-Württemberg” (type F125). The demonstrator was implemented in less than ten months from the idea to the actual firing.”
It said the missile “met all the test and trial targets” and added: “The successful test paves the way for the series introduction of IRIS-T SLM for the Navy.”
The Bundeswehr statement noted: “This exercise is not only a testament to Germany’s deterrent capability, but also demonstrates that the Navy is ready for national and alliance defence.”
- You can read more details on the German Navy website and the Diehl Defence website