Method for combating an approaching target by way of a DIRCM system, the DIRCM system containing: - an interface to a warning system for reporting approaching targets, - at least two DIRCM modules (12a,b) for detecting the target in a detection mode and for tracking the target in a tracking mode and for combating, by irradiating, the target in a ray mode, - each of the modules (12a,b) having a total area (BGa,b) for detecting and/or tracking and/or combating targets, - a defence area being the union of all total areas (BGa,b), in which: - A) when the target is reported by the warning system: - precisely one of the modules (12a,b) is selected as the active first module (12a,b) and the tracking mode and the ray mode are activated for the target in said active first module, and from then on: - B) for the active module (12a,b): - the tracking mode and the ray mode remain activated in the active module (12a,b), - and the tracking mode and the ray mode remain deactivated for the target in all other modules (12a,b), - and an anticipable future path of movement of the target is determined; and - C) if the path of movement intersects an edge of the total area (BGa,b) of the active module (12a,b) at a transfer position: - C1) a second module (12a,b), for which the transfer position is located in the total area (BGa,b) thereof, is selected and the detection mode is or remains activated in the second module (12a,b), - C2) and the tracking mode and the ray mode remain activated in the first module (12a,b); and - D) after the second module (12a,b) has detected the target: - D1) the tracking mode is deactivated in the first module (12a,b) and the tracking mode of the second module (12a,b) is activated after deactivation has taken place, - D2) the ray mode is deactivated in the first module (12a,b) and is or remains activated in the second module (12a,b), - D3) the second module (12a,b) is declared the first module (12a,b). - an interface to a warning system for reporting approaching targets, - at least two DIRCM modules (12a,b) for detecting the target in a detection mode and for tracking the target in a tracking mode and for combating, by irradiating, the target in a ray mode, - each of the modules (12a,b) having a total area (BGa,b) for detecting and/or tracking and/or combating targets, - a defence area being the union of all total areas (BGa,b), - A) when the target is reported by the warning system: - precisely one of the modules (12a,b) is selected as the active first module (12a,b) and the tracking mode and the ray mode are activated for the target in said active first module, - B) for the active module (12a,b): - the tracking mode and the ray mode remain activated in the active module (12a,b), - and the tracking mode and the ray mode remain deactivated for the target in all other modules (12a,b), - and an anticipable future path of movement of the target is determined; and - C) if the path of movement intersects an edge of the total area (BGa,b) of the active module (12a,b) at a transfer position: - C1) a second module (12a,b), for which the transfer position is located in the total area (BGa,b) thereof, is selected and the detection mode is or remains activated in the second module (12a,b), - C2) and the tracking mode and the ray mode remain activated in the first module (12a,b); and - D) after the second module (12a,b) has detected the target: - D1) the tracking mode is deactivated in the first module (12a,b) and the tracking mode of the second module (12a,b) is activated after deactivation has taken place, - D2) the ray mode is deactivated in the first module (12a,b) and is or remains activated in the second module (12a,b), - D3) the second module (12a,b) is declared the first module (12a,b).