Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems will equip German Air Force transport aircraft with advanced missile defense systems in a deal valued at approximately $260 million, the company announced on Monday. Selected by Airbus, which manufactures the A400M transport planes for Germany’s military, Elbit will supply its Directed IR Countermeasures (DIRCM) systems to protect against infrared-guided missiles.
The contract, spanning six years, follows a procurement decision by Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support. Elbit’s order backlog for the first quarter of 2025 exceeds $23 billion.
The TMJ-MUSIC system, one of Europe’s top-selling defense solutions, is already installed on European military refueling aircraft (Airbus A330) and is now expanding to transport planes. Part of Elbit’s family of air defense solutions, the system safeguards aircraft from infrared-guided missiles, particularly those launched from portable anti-aircraft systems.
By integrating advanced laser technology with high-performance imaging, the system detects, tracks and disrupts incoming missiles in real time, providing autonomous protection without requiring crew intervention.
A similar Elbit system protects the aircraft of French President Emmanuel Macron. Its modular, adaptable design allows integration with various aircraft platforms and missile warning systems. Compact in size, it minimizes impact on aircraft performance and payload capacity, making it a versatile choice for both military and commercial planes worldwide.
Elbit’s DIRCM systems are in operational use across a wide range of aircraft, serving governments, air forces and defense ministries in countries including Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Brazil. Leading aircraft manufacturers have also selected the system as their preferred solution for new and upgraded platforms, underscoring its global reliability.
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Elbit Systems CEO and President Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis emphasized the deal’s significance. “This contract further strengthens Elbit Systems’ position as a global leader in DIRCM solutions. Our systems already enjoy the trust of numerous air forces and security organizations worldwide and we are proud to support Germany in enhancing the protection of its strategic air assets,” he said.
“Our successful collaboration with Airbus in this important program is greatly valued, and we are pleased that our advanced defense systems will contribute to the safety and operational readiness of Germany’s transport aircraft fleet,” Machlis added.