Diehl signs IRIS-T support contract with Royal Thai Air Force

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and Diehl Defence have signed a support agreement to continue co-operation with regard to the deployment of Diehl Defence IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles on RTAF aircraft.

Diehl announced on 16 October 2024 that, with the signing of this agreement, the RTAF is once again one step ahead. Following the successful integration of IRIS-T into its fleet of F-5TH fighters, the RTAF is “demonstrating its exceptional ability to integrate and certify new armaments into its existing fleet”, Diehl stated.

The RTAF already arms its Gripen, F-16 and F-5 fighters with IRIS-T missiles, but the latest contract, which was signed in Germany at the beginning of October 2024, aims to improve the RTAF’s ability to operate the IRIS-T across its entire fleet. It includes support for integration, firing tests and technical and logistical support.

Diehl Defence sees this agreement as a further milestone in strengthening the longstanding co-operation with the RTAF and extending the use of IRIS-T to other platforms.

The IRIS-T is a fifth-generation short-range air-to-air missile that is fully integrated onto the Eurofighter, Gripen, F-16, EF-18, F-5 and Tornado jets. The missile is also currently being integrated onto the KF-21 fighter manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

After 20 years in service, the IRIS-T is currently in the spotlight as a land-to-air missile effector for air defence systems. Essentially, only the software had to be modified for this surface-launched capability. In order to increase the missile’s range to medium- and longer-range combat distances, the missile was given a rocket engine with a larger diameter.