Bundeswehr commissions final IDAS development

At the end of last year, the German Armed Forces Procurement Office (BAAINBw) awarded a contract to thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) and Diehl Defence for the final development and qualification of a guided missile system for the self-defense of submarines (IDAS). As tkMS wrote in a statement today, the “Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines” – IDAS for short – is being developed in-house in close cooperation between tkMS and Diehl Defence. 

The IDAS project will include “development and qualification of a guided missile unit consisting of a guided missile and ejection device for the active self-defense of submarines against attacks from the air.” 

According to the announcement, both companies are pooling their expertise in the IDAS consortium to develop a guided missile that can specifically combat air threats from a submerged submarine. IDAS is intended to ward off anti-submarine helicopters in particular. 

The globally unique technology will be available to customers of tkMS and Diehl Defence and will “revolutionize the protection of submarines and their crews,” writes tkMS. According to reports, the German-Norwegian Class 212 CD submarines will also be equipped with IDAS.

Tech profile: IDAS

In the past, several tests have been carried out with the IDAS missile in live fire. The picture shows the loading of an IDAS transport container into the HDW 212A U33 submarine. (Image: tkMS)

According to an article on the official Bundeswehr website, the attacking helicopter is identified by the submarine’s sonar. The target data is then displayed on the situation and control console. As part of the attack process, the IDAS guided missile is hydraulically ejected from the torpedo tube before the engine ignites at a safe distance from the submarine, so that the missile is already moving underwater in the direction of the target. 

According to the Bundeswehr, a change of direction will already be possible at this point in time in order to be able to attack a target from the side or from behind. “With the help of a booster engine, the guided missile pushes through the water surface and climbs to cruising altitude. The wings of the guided missile are unfolded for control,” writes the Bundeswehr. The target engagement itself is carried out by triggering the warhead with the corresponding fragmentation effect.

Hartpunkt comment

By combining an advanced guided missile and a new type of ejection device, submarine crews will in future be able to defend themselves against attacks and detection attempts from the air while submerged. This has not been possible to date. Diehl is relying on its expertise with the Iris-T missile, which is used in both air-to-air and ground-to-air variants. With IDAS, the missile is guided via an optical fiber. Several live fire tests have already been carried out with the IDAS missile in the past.

This article, written by Lars Hoffmann, was originally published in German by Hartpunkt on 22nd January 2025. Hartpunkt and Calibre are collaborating to bring you the best content from across Europe.