Diehl Defence and Hellenic Defence Systems have renewed their longstanding partnership on the IRIS-T missile program as demand for air combat and ground-based air defense systems continues to rise.
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in Athens, extending a collaboration that has contributed to the development and production of the IRIS-T missile family for more than two decades.
While no new production quantities or procurement agreements were disclosed, Hellenic Defence Systems continues to manufacture critical components linked to Greece’s participation in the multinational IRIS-T consortium, underscoring Athens’ enduring role in the program.
Initially developed under the leadership of Diehl with contributions from six European partner nations, IRIS-T has expanded beyond its original short-range air-to-air missile role into a wider air defense portfolio that now includes the IRIS-T SLS, SLM, and the emerging SLX variants.
Development activity surrounding the IRIS-T family has accelerated significantly in recent years, fueled by Europe’s rearmament initiatives and the operational deployment of the systems in Ukraine.
In March, Diehl Defence signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Indra Group of Spain to jointly develop and manufacture air and missile defense systems, combining Diehl’s IRIS-T expertise with Indra’s strengths in radar, tactical communications, and command-and-control technologies.
Earlier in January, Diehl announced plans to increase annual production capacity for IRIS-T firing units to up to 16 systems within two years, while missile production has reportedly grown tenfold since before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In November 2025, Lockheed Martin and Diehl Defence also partnered to explore upgrades for Integrated Air and Missile Defense through the Aegis Weapon System, including potential IRIS-T integration.
