Interview with Claus Günther, Überlingen

Addressing new threat scenarios with tailored system and equipment solutions Contributing to maritime security through advanced technology

Interview with Claus Günther, CEO Diehl Defence Holding, Überlingen

The European: Today around 90 percent of international trade comes and goes by sea. Safeguarding international shipping and waterways through protection and surveillance of maritime trading routes as well as harbour and container security are major tasks in view of widespread piracy and terrorist attacks. Which technologies in Diehl´s naval portfolio are capable of addressing today´s maritime threat scenarios? Claus Günther: Diehl Defence offers technologies addressing this new threat scenario and supporting naval capabilities with tailored system and equipment solutions. They range from guided missiles and ammunition for ship-borne guns providing self-defence as well as precise engagement of sea and land targets to reconnaissance and surveillance systems for reliable threat detection.

The European: Can you provide examples of your naval missile expertise? Claus Günther: Diehl Defence delivers the anti-ship missile RBS15 Mk3 as the main weapon system for the German Navy´s new K130 corvette. Moreover, the RBS15 Mk3 missile was procured by the Polish Navy for its ORKAN class fast patrol vessels. RBS15 Mk3, jointly developed by Diehl Defence and Saab Dynamics, is based on the RBS15 Mk2 predecessor which has proved its worth with the Swedish and other navies. A special feature of the missile with a range of more than 200 km is its capability of precise engagement of land targets as well.

The European: Are you assembling various missile components in Germany? Claus Günther: Yes we do this at a modern integration and test center in Nonnweiler (Saarland). There Diehl Defence assembles the missile’s seeker, guidance and control section, the warhead and propulsion into an entire system.

The European: Diehl Defence is a major partner in the trans-Atlantic Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) program – a collaboration of Raytheon, MBDA Deutschland and Diehl. Can you provide details? Claus Günther: RAM, which is operative in more than a dozen navies, is an advanced ship-board defence system against anti-ship missiles, aircraft and helicopters. Diehl’s workshare comprises manufacture and integration of the missile´s guidance and control sections including the infrared seeker System SIMONE – Passive Infrared Monitoring System

photo: Diehl Defence

head as well as the launch canister. In March 2013, the German Navy placed a procurement contract for 445 RAM 2 missiles of the Block 2 upgrade version.

The European: In an industrial consortium, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Diehl Defence are currently pursuing the IDAS project (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines). What does Diehl offer? Claus Günther: IDAS offers entirely new self-defence possibilities of submerged submarines against threats from the air, from surface vessels and from coastal areas. Thanks to an

52 innovative fiber-optic data link, the submarine’s operator is capable of controlling the missile during the entire flight.

The European: Have you ever performed tests with IDAS? Claus Günther: An IDAS prototype has already performed a successful controlled test firing from a class 212A submarine of the German Navy in the Baltic Sea.

The European: Will other partners be joining the programme? Claus Günther: Indeed, in May 2013, the Turkish company Roketsan joined the IDAS consortium.

The European: What are the highlights in Diehl's naval ammunition portfolio? Claus Günther: Diehl Defence developed the 76 ammunition family for the naval gun OTO Melara 76 mm L/62. The ammunition is in series production and operative in 20 navies worldwide.

The European: This is the “conventional version”, but do you already have a new version under development? Claus Günther: Indeed, France awarded Diehl Defence an order for the development of the new insensitive 76 mm naval ammunition. As opposed to the conventional variant, the new insensitive type does not detonate in case of enemy shelling or fire on board. This enhances safety and protection of the vessel’s crew.

The European: Let me turn to VULCANO, a joint programme with OTO Melara. What does VULCANO stand for? Claus Günther: VULCANO is a joint programme with our Italian partners. Diehl Defence is developing the VULCANO guided ammunition family with the 127 mm naval and 155 mm army variants. Dual mode capability of GPS/IR (Infra-Red) or

From left to right: RAM ship-board defence missile, RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship guided missile with land attack capability, IDAS guided missile for submarine self-defence photo: Diehl Defence

Claus Günther has been CEO of the Diehl Defence Holding GmbH and Member of the Executive Board of the Diehl Group since 2007. He was born in 1954 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. He took part in officer training in Hannover from 1972 to 1974, followed by studies of economics and organisational science at the Bundeswehr University, Hamburg, until 1977. After an officer career, Mr Günther held various positions at Buderus AG from 1985 to 1989. He then was Member of the Executive Board of SMC Corporation, Tokyo. In 2002, Mr Günther became President of the “Operating Affiliated Companies” Corporate Division Board of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG and simultaneously CEO of the Hydrometer Group, Ansbach. Photo: private

GPS/SAL (Semi-Active Laser) Terminal Homing offer a quantum leap in high precision target engagement.

The European: The US marines use your Floating Smoke Pot. Claus Günther: Diehl Defence produces various NATO-qualified smoke agents for the protection of troops, vehicles and ships. Our Floating Smoke Pot is in service with the US Marine Corps.

The European: Let me come to surveillance. What can Diehl offer navies in terms of reconnaissance and surveillance technology? Claus Günther: In spring 2013, Diehl Defence started delivery of the passive infrared surveillance system SIMONE (Ship Infrared Monitoring, Observation and Navigation Equipment) for the German Navy’s new Frigate F125. SIMONE is suited for early and reliable detection of threats to ships such as pirates and terrorist attacks.

The European: What are the system’s specific strengths in harbours and in coastal waters? Claus Günther: In harbours and coastal waters conventional radar systems rapidly reach their limits. SIMONE´s infrared technology not only detects even very small suspicious objects such as inflatable rubber boats or swimmers and provides 24 hour/360° coverage of the vessel’s immediate vicinity. It also serves as a night navigation assistant in troubled waters.

The European: We have been through all the systems you mentioned at the beginning. Last but not least: what are you offering by way of state-of-the-art surveillance systems? Claus Günther: Diehl is offering the German Navy a reconnaissance solution for SAATEG VTOL requirements based on the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAV of the Austrian company Schiebel. The system is to be operated from the new K 130 corvette.