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DEFEA 2025: RAMSYS Invests in New Missile Generation to Counter Emerging Naval Threats.
At DEFEA 2025 in Athens, the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system is once again positioned as a key component of modern close-in naval defense. Presented by the German-American joint venture RAMSYS, the RAM program reflects over four decades of continuous development aimed at addressing evolving aerial threats, including high-speed anti-ship missiles, attack drones, and asymmetric projectiles increasingly used in contemporary maritime combat.
The RAM system is built around a lightweight interceptor missile guided by both infrared and radio frequency sensors and launched from the deck-mounted MK49 launcher (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The RAM system is built around a lightweight interceptor missile guided by both infrared and radio frequency sensors and launched from the deck-mounted MK49 launcher. The latest iteration, Block 2 (designated RIM-116C), features enhanced kinematics, increased agility, and advanced guidance capabilities enabled by a refined RF receiver and a new-generation autopilot. The missile is 2.88 meters long, 150 mm in diameter, and weighs 91 kg. It is designed to operate effectively in dense electronic warfare environments, utilizing Low Probability of Intercept Tracking (LPIT) for high-speed, low-signature target engagement.
Block 2 missiles can be launched from MK49 Mod 2 or Mod 3 launchers, equipped with 11 and 21 missiles, respectively. These launchers allow full 360-degree rotation and elevation from -25° to +80°, enabling all-around coverage. As of today, more than 6,000 RAM missiles have been produced, with over 240 launchers installed on 140 warships worldwide, including a significant number of NATO and partner nation fleets.
The system’s presence at DEFEA 2025 comes at a crucial time for the Hellenic Navy, which is in the final stages of planning the modernization of its four MEKO200HN frigates. According to defense industry sources and recent reporting, the upgrade plan includes replacing the legacy Phalanx CIWS with two RAM launchers per ship, offering a total of 42 ready-to-fire missiles per vessel. The TACTICOS combat management system selected for these frigates is already configured to support dual RAM operation, enabling real-time Threat Evaluation and Weapons Assignment (TEWA), particularly useful during saturation attacks.
This shift aligns with a broader trend observed in other navies, notably the U.S. Navy, which is gradually phasing out the Phalanx Block 1B systems in favor of RAM and SeaRAM solutions. The decision follows operational lessons from recent conflicts. In the Black Sea, Russian naval losses to cruise missiles and unmanned systems revealed the vulnerability of ships lacking advanced short-range defenses. Similarly, U.S. Navy engagements in the Red Sea against Houthi drones and missiles have underscored the need for more versatile and autonomous close-in defense systems.
The RAM system, particularly in its current Block 2 configuration, offers a reliable solution with a reported kill probability exceeding 95% during live-fire testing. A next-generation version, Block 2B, is reportedly under development, promising extended range and improved multi-target engagement capabilities tailored for future maritime threat environments.
RAMSYS, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and Raytheon, leads the design, production, and global distribution of the RAM system. The company plays a central role in the modernization of close-in defense across NATO and allied fleets. The increasing adoption of RAM Block 2 reflects a wider move toward standardizing short-range shipborne defense systems, ensuring improved fleet survivability. Its integration into older platforms like the MEKO200HN and its complementarity with newer classes such as Greece’s FDI HN frigates help reinforce the defensive coherence of both national and European naval forces.