First IRIS-T SLM firing unit successfully accepted

The Procurement Office of the Bundeswehr has accepted the first firing unit of the IRIS-T SLM (Infra Red Imaging System - Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled, Surface Launched Medium Range) air defense system from the manufacturer as planned at the beginning of August. Just a year ago, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved the procurement of a total of six firing units of the air defense system from the Bundeswehr's special funds.

IRIS-T SLM is a ground-based air defense system used against threats from the air such as drones, aircraft, helicopters, or cruise missiles. Ground troops also need to be protected from attacks from the air. Ground-based air defense is particularly capable of permanently protecting areas for extended periods of time.

Each firing unit consists of a medium-range radar with a detection range of up to 250 km and three launchers for firing eight guided missiles each with a range of 40 km. These two components are operated remotely from a common command post with minimal personnel - a crucial tactical advantage of the new system.

Mounted on standardized 20-foot ISO container frames, the modular design of the system also allows for rapid deployment by air transport.

In Ukraine, IRIS-T SLM has already proven itself under real combat conditions. Germany has delivered the system to Ukraine to effectively protect the population and infrastructure from Russian air attacks.

In order to introduce the system into the Bundeswehr, the manufacturer had to adapt it to various NATO interfaces to ensure that the firing units can be integrated into the NATO air defense network. These adjustments will be qualified and subjected to operational testing following the current acceptance by the Procurement Office, so that IRIS-T SLM will likely be available to the Air Force, the future user, by the end of 2025.