Germany To Build World’s First Submarine With Anti-Aircraft Missiles

Germany is taking submarine defence to the next level by developing a first-of-its-kind weapon system that allows submarines to defend themselves against air threats without surfacing.

The Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines (IDAS), created by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence, will introduce a revolutionary capability for protecting submarines and their crews.

The Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, commissioned the development of IDAS through a contract signed at the end of 2024.

Germany’s parliament approved a $5 billion funding package for building four advanced Type 212CD submarines, which will feature the IDAS system. Of this budget, $26 million has been allocated to complete the development and qualification of IDAS.

IDAS is a guided missile system designed specifically for submarines. It allows submarines to engage air threats, such as sub-hunting helicopters while remaining submerged. This is achieved using a fibre-optic wire-guided missile equipped with an infrared seeker.

The missile is launched through a torpedo tube, and once it reaches the surface, the operator can gu…

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