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Diehl Defence inks IRIS-T Block II deal with Sener, touts HYDEF/EATMI at FEINDEF 2025

Diehl Defence signs LoI on IRIS-T Block II with Spain’s Sener, pitches HYDEF/EATMI hypersonic interceptor, eyes Spanish subsidiary before FEINDEF 2025.

by Großwald

Updated May 11, 2025

TL;DR:

IRIS-T Evolution with Spain: Diehl Defence is advancing its collaboration with Spain on the IRIS-T missile, with Spanish firm Sener Aeroespacial y Defensa taking a lead design role in the upcoming IRIS-T Block II's control and actuation systems.
Hypersonic Ambitions - HYDEF / EATMI Pitch: After winning EU HYDEF (European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor) Phase 1 funding, Diehl is seeking Spanish backing for the follow-on EATMI concept (current HYDEF co-funders: Spain, Germany, Norway, Poland; Belgium participates via industry).
Industry Outreach: Diehl is negotiating work-share with Escribano, GMV, Indra, Instalaza, Navantia, Sener, SMS and Tecnobit to localise production and integration.
Possible Spanish Subsidiary: Diehl says it is studying the creation of a Spanish legal entity; no timeline or investment figure disclosed.

Madrid, Spain – As the FEINDEF 2025 defense exhibition approaches (May 12-14), German defense major Diehl Defence has announced a Letter of Intent with Sener and a wider industrial outreach campaign ahead of FEINDEF. The company aims to reinforce its role in developing Spain's air and missile defense capabilities, leveraging existing collaborations and exploring new frontiers, including hypersonic defense and a stronger local industrial footprint (Diehl Defence Press Release, May 9, 2025).

Building on a Proven Partnership – The IRIS-T Evolution

Spain has long been a key member of the multinational IRIS-T consortium, which developed the in-service IRIS-T air-to-air missile under Diehl Defence's leadership. The missile is currently operational with the Spanish Air Force. This long-standing cooperation is set to enter a new phase with the recent signing of a Letter of Intent for the development of IRIS-T Block II.

A crucial aspect of this advancement is the prominent role of Spanish company Sener Aeroespacial y Defensa, which will lead the design of the missile's control and actuation systems (Diehl Defence Press Release, May 9, 2025). Under the LoI, Sener would design the control/actuation subsystem—its first lead-component role on IRIS-T and a new Spanish work-share line. Block II upgrades disclosed so far include a larger motor for extended range and a dual-mode seeker; other features remain under study.

Charting New Territory – Hypersonic Defense and HYDEF/EATMI

Diehl Defence's collaboration with Spanish industry has already yielded success in European Defence Fund (EDF) tenders, notably with the EU HYDEF (European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor) project.

This initiative, co-funded by the EU plus Spain, Germany, Norway and Poland (Belgium contributes via industry partner SABCA), and managed by OCCAR, aims to develop a European interceptor against hypersonic threats. Diehl states this effort will be "even more broadly based in the next phases in the form of EATMI (Endo-Atmospheric Interceptor)" (Diehl Defence Press Release, May 9, 2025).

EATMI is Diehl’s proposal for a full-scale endo-atmospheric interceptor once HYDEF’s concept phase ends; funding beyond R&T is not yet approved.

Forging a Wider Industrial Alliance for Spanish Sovereignty

Diehl Defence is in "advanced discussions" with a broad spectrum of major Spanish defense companies. The list includes:

Escribano Mechanical & Engineering: Known for its advanced weapon stations and electro-optical systems.
GMV: Specializes in guidance, navigation, control (GNC) systems, and C4ISR solutions.
Indra: A leading Spanish technology and consulting company, with strong capabilities in radar, electronic defense, and command & control systems.
Instalaza: Manufacturer of infantry weapon systems and munitions.
Navantia: Spain's state-owned shipbuilding company, crucial for naval platform integration.
Sener Aeroespacial y Defensa: (As mentioned) Key partner in missile guidance and control.
SMS (Sistemas de Misiles de España): A consortium focused on missile technologies.
Tecnobit (Grupo Oesía): Develops advanced electronics, optronics, and communications systems.

Diehl argues the arrangement would widen Spain’s domestic role in missile development (Diehl press release, 9 May 2025), although Madrid still fields US-origin Patriot (Army) and ESSM (Navy) for area defence.

Multi-Domain Capabilities – With a Naval Emphasis

A central pillar of Diehl’s roadmap is leveraging the full potential of the IRIS-T family—spanning the original air-to-air missile, the ground-based IRIS-T SLM and the longer-range SLX, plus the developmental HYDEF/EATMI interceptor—across air, land and, above all, sea platforms.

Spain’s 8,000-km coastline and expeditionary tasks drive a requirement for robust ship self-defence. If selected, integrating IRIS-T variants on Spanish Navy combatants such as the in-service F-100 Álvaro de Bazán class or the future F-110 Bonifaz class could provide a point-defence ring out to roughly 40 km (based on land-system specs) against anti-ship missiles, drones and other aerial threats, while a common missile family would simplify logistics and training. However, no Spanish Navy study or contract currently covers IRIS-T integration on either class.

The closest analogue is in Germany: on 18 December 2024 the Bundeswehr’s procurement agency (BAAINBw) awarded Diehl a feasibility-and-demonstrator contract to mount two land-configured IRIS-T SLM launchers on a Baden-Württemberg-class F-125 frigate (diehl.com navalnews.com). If that German trial succeeds, it could pave the way for adoption by other NATO surface combatants, including Spain’s, but any Spanish implementation would still need its own Ministry-of-Defence decision and funding. Thus, any mention of F-100/F-110 integration remains a forward-looking possibility rather than an active programme.

Deepening Commitment – A Potential Diehl Subsidiary in Spain

Underscoring its long-term vision for the Spanish market, Diehl Defence is "considering the establishment of its own Spanish subsidiary." This move would go beyond simple sales, aiming to:

Localise some component manufacture (Diehl has not detailed which parts).
Create highly qualified jobs within Spain, though potential job count has not been disclosed.
Ensure a sustained local presence to support the Spanish Armed Forces.

Establishing a local entity would give Diehl a local legal footprint—often a prerequisite in Spanish defence tenders.

Strategic Outlook & What to Watch:

FEINDEF Announcements: Watch for signed contracts or MoUs during the Madrid show (12–14 May).
IRIS-T Block II & EATMI Progress: Look for preliminary-design review timing and confirmed Spanish work-share; EATMI: check if EDF Phase 2 funding appears in the 2026 call.
Spanish naval air-defence: Monitor any Navy RfIs for point-defence missiles on F-110 or F-100 mid-life upgrade.
Diehl Spanish Subsidiary Developments: Track corporate registry filings or employment announcements.
Integration Roadmaps: Note how HYDEF/EATMI might slot into NATO’s IAMD architecture (e.g., C2 links to ACCS and BMD-OC).