MSPO 2025: IDAS missile system reshapes submarine defense against aerial and surface threats
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, Diehl Defence presented the IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System) as a full-scale exhibit. Submarines, often considered hunters of the deep, have historically remained vulnerable to aerial anti-submarine platforms such as helicopters and patrol aircraft. The unveiling of IDAS highlights a turning point in underwater warfare, equipping submarines with the unprecedented ability to counter airborne threats directly. Its presence at Kielce signals a shift in the balance of anti-submarine warfare, where the hunted can now actively strike back.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
In an era where maritime dominance increasingly depends on multi-domain integration, IDAS ensures that submarines are no longer passive prey but active participants in the fight for sea control (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The IDAS missile is the result of a joint development led by Diehl Defence in collaboration with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and other European partners. Unlike conventional submarine weapons that are designed primarily for engaging surface vessels and underwater targets, IDAS introduces a revolutionary capability: fiber-optically guided missiles launched from standard 533 mm torpedo tubes, capable of targeting ASW helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and even small surface vessels. Once launched, the missile remains connected to the submarine through a fiber-optic cable, allowing the crew to guide it in real time and adapt to changing scenarios, a significant departure from fire-and-forget torpedoes or missiles.
The concept draws parallels with earlier attempts by navies to provide submarines with anti-air defenses, but those were largely limited to man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) modified for underwater launch, with limited range and effectiveness. IDAS surpasses these by offering extended engagement distances, precision control, and a platform-specific design that integrates seamlessly with modern diesel-electric submarines. By giving submarines an active defensive role against airborne hunters, IDAS directly challenges decades of established ASW doctrine.
From a technological perspective, IDAS also demonstrates the increasing importance of networked and flexible guidance systems in naval warfare. The use of fiber-optic links ensures immunity against electronic countermeasures, while providing operators with visual feedback and precision control. This places IDAS in a separate category from traditional submarine armaments, effectively bridging the gap between underwater stealth and real-time precision strike, and highlighting Europe’s commitment to advancing undersea deterrence capabilities.
Strategically, this capability could alter maritime dynamics. Submarines, traditionally forced to remain undetected or evade aerial pursuit, can now deter or neutralize hostile aircraft. For navies operating in contested littoral waters, such as the Baltic or South China Sea, this translates into enhanced survivability and operational freedom. Geopolitically, it signals a shift in undersea warfare where the advantage tilts in favor of the submarine, complicating ASW efforts by NATO, Russia, and emerging naval powers in Asia. For countries investing heavily in submarine fleets but lacking large carrier-based air protection, IDAS provides a cost-effective asymmetric edge.
By showcasing IDAS at MSPO 2025, Diehl Defence underlined the arrival of a weapon system capable of redefining submarine warfare. Beyond its technical sophistication, the system carries profound strategic weight, making the undersea domain more unpredictable for potential adversaries. In an era where maritime dominance increasingly depends on multi-domain integration, IDAS ensures that submarines are no longer passive prey but active participants in the fight for sea control.
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During MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, Diehl Defence presented the IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System) as a full-scale exhibit. Submarines, often considered hunters of the deep, have historically remained vulnerable to aerial anti-submarine platforms such as helicopters and patrol aircraft. The unveiling of IDAS highlights a turning point in underwater warfare, equipping submarines with the unprecedented ability to counter airborne threats directly. Its presence at Kielce signals a shift in the balance of anti-submarine warfare, where the hunted can now actively strike back.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
In an era where maritime dominance increasingly depends on multi-domain integration, IDAS ensures that submarines are no longer passive prey but active participants in the fight for sea control (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)
The IDAS missile is the result of a joint development led by Diehl Defence in collaboration with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and other European partners. Unlike conventional submarine weapons that are designed primarily for engaging surface vessels and underwater targets, IDAS introduces a revolutionary capability: fiber-optically guided missiles launched from standard 533 mm torpedo tubes, capable of targeting ASW helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and even small surface vessels. Once launched, the missile remains connected to the submarine through a fiber-optic cable, allowing the crew to guide it in real time and adapt to changing scenarios, a significant departure from fire-and-forget torpedoes or missiles.
The concept draws parallels with earlier attempts by navies to provide submarines with anti-air defenses, but those were largely limited to man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) modified for underwater launch, with limited range and effectiveness. IDAS surpasses these by offering extended engagement distances, precision control, and a platform-specific design that integrates seamlessly with modern diesel-electric submarines. By giving submarines an active defensive role against airborne hunters, IDAS directly challenges decades of established ASW doctrine.
From a technological perspective, IDAS also demonstrates the increasing importance of networked and flexible guidance systems in naval warfare. The use of fiber-optic links ensures immunity against electronic countermeasures, while providing operators with visual feedback and precision control. This places IDAS in a separate category from traditional submarine armaments, effectively bridging the gap between underwater stealth and real-time precision strike, and highlighting Europe’s commitment to advancing undersea deterrence capabilities.
Strategically, this capability could alter maritime dynamics. Submarines, traditionally forced to remain undetected or evade aerial pursuit, can now deter or neutralize hostile aircraft. For navies operating in contested littoral waters, such as the Baltic or South China Sea, this translates into enhanced survivability and operational freedom. Geopolitically, it signals a shift in undersea warfare where the advantage tilts in favor of the submarine, complicating ASW efforts by NATO, Russia, and emerging naval powers in Asia. For countries investing heavily in submarine fleets but lacking large carrier-based air protection, IDAS provides a cost-effective asymmetric edge.
By showcasing IDAS at MSPO 2025, Diehl Defence underlined the arrival of a weapon system capable of redefining submarine warfare. Beyond its technical sophistication, the system carries profound strategic weight, making the undersea domain more unpredictable for potential adversaries. In an era where maritime dominance increasingly depends on multi-domain integration, IDAS ensures that submarines are no longer passive prey but active participants in the fight for sea control.
