Germany In development Diehl Defence
IDAS
Fiber-optic-guided, torpedo-tube-launched missile giving submarines a self-defense and limited strike capability against aircraft, helicopters and surface/land targets while still submerged.
1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-18
20
km range
20
kg warhead
Pricing: German Navy procurement order placed January 2025 to equip the Type 212CD submarine; qualification targeted for completion by end of 2029
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
German export-licensed
BAFA licensing with strict end-use review; approvals can be politically constrained.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Development status
Limited · 1 operator
Status: announced.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Overview
IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines) is a submarine-launched missile developed by Diehl Defence together with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS/HDW), with Kongsberg, Nammo and Roketsan also contributing subsystems. Fired from a standard 533mm torpedo tube in a floating capsule, IDAS climbs to the surface before its rocket motor ignites and it is steered toward the target by an operator aboard the submarine via a fiber-optic data link, using an imaging-infrared seeker for terminal guidance. This gives an otherwise-blind submerged submarine a defensive capability against maritime patrol aircraft and ASW helicopters, plus a secondary strike capability against slow-moving surface vessels and coastal targets. The German Navy approved procurement funding in December 2024 and placed a development/qualification order in January 2025 to equip the Type 212CD submarine, with qualification targeted for completion by the end of 2029; it is not yet an operationally fielded weapon.
Compatible munitions & weapons
Publicly reported weapons the IDAS can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 864 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 20 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 20 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Multi-purpose HE/fragmentation |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Fiber-optic data link, Imaging infrared seeker |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 2.8 m |
|---|---|
| Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles. | 0.18 m |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public Diehl Defence and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-18.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Boeing AGM-86 ALCM Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Diehl Defence IDAS? +
The Diehl Defence IDAS has a maximum speed of 864 km/h.
What is the range of the Diehl Defence IDAS? +
The Diehl Defence IDAS has a maximum range of 20 km.
What is the Diehl Defence IDAS used for? +
The Diehl Defence IDAS is a missile typically used for submarine self defense, anti air, littoral strike.
How many countries operate the Diehl Defence IDAS? +
The Diehl Defence IDAS is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the Diehl Defence IDAS cost? +
Diehl Defence IDAS: German Navy procurement order placed January 2025 to equip the Type 212CD submarine; qualification targeted for completion by end of 2029. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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