Lockheed and Diehl Unite to Enhance Global Maritime Air Defense

Lockheed Martin and Diehl Defence have announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing maritime air defense capabilities for surface vessels. The two defense firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 14, 2023, during the Berlin Security Conference, signaling their intent to develop integrated solutions that could appeal to navies worldwide.

This collaboration will focus on merging Diehl’s advanced guided missile and ground-based air defense systems, including the IRIS-T family, with Lockheed’s integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) technologies. Lockheed’s offerings include the Aegis Weapon System and the MK41 Vertical Launch System. According to a spokesperson for Diehl, this agreement serves as a “starting point,” with both companies currently defining their next steps.

As discussions unfold, the partnership is set to explore two separate projects aimed at enhancing their cooperative efforts. The spokesperson emphasized the potential market, highlighting a range of possible customers that could benefit from their technologies.

Dennis Goge, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Executive and Vice President for Europe, characterized the collaboration as a “win-win situation” for both entities. He noted the significance for Diehl in integrating with the Aegis Weapon System and the vertical launchers, which could enhance their operational capabilities. Goge remarked, “On the other hand, it’s good for us, because we diversify the portfolio there.”

The partnership may find its first customer in the German military, which already utilizes the IRIS-T surface-to-air missiles on its F125 frigate, the Baden-Württemberg. Goge pointed out that the German Navy’s use of IRIS-T in the IAMD environment underscores the interoperability benefits of this collaboration. “It just makes sense, also from an interoperability point of view,” he stated.

The MoU was officially signed in Berlin by Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, and Chandra Marshall, Vice President at Lockheed Martin. Rauch expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “With Diehl Defence and Lockheed Martin linking up their expertise and capabilities, navies around the globe can benefit from the optimum for air defense systems on their surface vessels.”

Marshall added, “This strategic collaboration continues to showcase the scalability and increased capacity of our programs, which bring next-generation IAMD capability and 21st-century security worldwide.”

As both companies move forward, their joint efforts highlight a commitment to enhancing maritime security and offering sophisticated air defense solutions to meet the evolving needs of global naval forces.