Germany Makes a Huge purchase of RAM Missiles
The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag has given the green light to the purchase of 600 Rolling Airframe Missile [RAM] Block 2B missiles for the German Navy.
Germany’s defense ministry announced its first purchase approval after the government previously announced the creation of a special 100 billion euro fund for German security investment. The special fund was announced following the ongoing Russian occupation of Ukraine.
The order in question includes 600 RAM Block 2B close-in air defense missiles. Deliveries of 600 missiles ordered for the German Navy will be made between 2024 and 2029. The value of the giant order is 560 million euros.
Defense against missiles
The RIM-116 RAM was developed jointly with Raytheon from the USA and Diehl Defense from Germany. It is used to defend against missiles, planes, or helicopters. The Block 2D Missile has a more powerful rocket motor, a 4-blade control system, and an improved passive RF and infrared seeker.
The RIM-116 RAM close air defense system is used by the German Navy on almost every combat platform. The RAM Close air defense missile system, which entered service in 1992, is in service on more than 160 ships in the navies of 11 countries.
How does it work?
The RAM has a passive radio frequency and infrared seeker head. After firing from the launcher, it detects RF waves emitted by the radar arrow of an approaching anti-ship missile with the passive RF arrow on it. After targeting the radio frequency waves, it targets its target with the infrared seeker in the final stage and performs the prevention. Together with its dual-mode guidance system, the RAM missile achieves a success rate of 95% at a maximum range of 10 kilometers.