BERLIN

Lockheed Martin and Diehl Defence on Tuesday announced a partnership to integrate European IRIS-T missiles into American Aegis naval combat systems, enhancing air and missile defense for partner nations.

The two defense firms signed a memorandum of understanding during the current Berlin Security Conference, emphasizing that their strategic collaboration will enable them to develop next-generation Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability.

“We have partnered with German industry for more than five decades, and we are proud to deepen our relationships by working with leading innovators such as Diehl Defence,” said Lockheed Martin’s Vice President Chandra Marshall during a signing ceremony.

Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch pointed out that integrating the IRIS‑T family into Aegis would be the first European missile ever integrated into the combat system.

“We are proud to intensify our collaboration,” he said.

The IRIS-T missile platform was initially developed for ground-based air defense missions against enemy aircraft. The system has become widely known internationally due to its use in Ukraine for countering Russian air strikes.

Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin's Aegis combat management systems are deployed aboard US Navy ships as well as naval vessels belonging to numerous allied nations, including multiple NATO members.