German Air Force pushes ahead with A400M infrared protection system upgrade
The A400M aircraft has beendesigned for tactical and strategic mission capabilities. (Photo: Airbus)
The Direct Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) system will serve to protect the aircraft from surface-to-air missile threats, with installation scheduled for later this year.
Airbus and the German procurement agency, Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), have signed an agreement to upgrade 23 German Air Force A400M aircraft with Direct Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) systems made by Elbit Systems.
The J-MUSIC DIRCM is a larger variant of the system, designed to protect larger tank and transport aircraft, and provides protection against multiple and simultaneous counter surface-to-air missiles threats, Elbit Systems noted.
The systems will be installed during a scheduled maintenance visit, according to Airbus. Certification of the newly installed system on the A400M is scheduled for mid-2025, with complete installation of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Paris Air Show 2025
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Parrot’s new microdrone ANAFI UKR breaks cover]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Parrot’s new microdrone ANAFI UKR breaks cover
While the Paris Air Show marked the first time the ANAFI UKR has been publicly shown, the ISR drone has been in use with various armed forces for the last eight months, Parrot told Shephard.
-
![France and Sweden sign defence roadmap as Naval Group positions FDI frigate for Swedish surface ship programme]()
France and Sweden sign defence roadmap as Naval Group positions FDI frigate for Swedish surface ship programme
A pact signed at the Paris Air Show has seen Sweden turn to the French FDI frigate to lead its next-gen surface combatant fleet amid shifting security dynamics in the Baltic Sea.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Embraer chalks up another win as Lithuania picks C-390]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Embraer chalks up another win as Lithuania picks C-390
Just this week Portugal signed for a sixth C-390 with the add-on of an option for 10 for other NATO countries. In April, Sweden signed for four and in December last year Slovakia agreed to buy three, while in the same month an undisclosed country agreed to buy two.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Fulgur air defence missile revealed in anticipation of potential market]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Fulgur air defence missile revealed in anticipation of potential market
The missile was first unveiled at SeaFuture 2023 and later at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024. Operational delivery is expected in 2028.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Aarok to be offered to India]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Aarok to be offered to India
Turgis Gaillard and Bharat Forge have signed an MoU to offer the Aarok, produced in India, to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The UAV could satisfy the country’s desire for an indigenous MALE UAV, offering an alternative to the TAPAS BH-201 that has had a rocky development.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Poland orders Apache targeting systems and will establish local support facility]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Poland orders Apache targeting systems and will establish local support facility
In 2024, Poland agreed to purchase 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache combat helicopters in a deal worth as much as US$12 billion. The deal included 97 AN/ASQ-170 modernised target acquisition and designation sight/AN/AAR-11 modernised pilot night vision sensors (M-TADS/PNVS).
