On June 22, BAAINBw and Diehl Defence signed a contract for the procurement of these six fire units. Diehl Defence, as the prime contractor, is collaborating with HENSOLDT and Airbus to provide the first fire unit to the Air Force as scheduled in 2024. This procurement will close an existing capability gap in the area of ground-based air defence in the German Armed Forces and strengthen both national and alliance defence. Due to the training provided to Ukrainian soldiers, the German Air Force is already familiar with the system. This marks the start of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), which other nations can join.
The IRIS-T SLM is a ground-based air defence system designed to protect against threats from the air such as drones, airplanes, helicopters, and cruise missiles. It can counter threats at a range of up to 40 km and a height of up to 20 km. Each unit includes a missile launcher, radar, and tactical operations center, supported by elements like workshops, spare parts, and reloading vehicles. The system is highly mobile, can engage multiple targets, and requires minimal personnel to operate, offering a tactical advantage.
The system has already proven its effectiveness in real combat conditions in Ukraine, achieving a 100 percent hit rate even in waves of attack with more than 12 targets. Each unit includes a radar with a detection range of up to 250 km and three launch devices, each capable of firing eight missiles. These components are remotely controlled from a single command center.
Built on standard 20-foot ISO container frames, the system is easy to transport by air. Diehl Defence, HENSOLDT, and Airbus have ensured that the system is independent of foreign technology, offering high accreditation, certification, and supply security while being fully compatible with NATO’s integrated air defence architecture.
Before integrating the system into the German Armed Forces, Diehl Defence adapted it to meet various NATO standards. These adjustments ensure that the units can be integrated into NATO’s air defence network. After further testing, the system is expected to be available to the German Air Force by the end of 2025.
