Duncan Looi
DIEHL Defence’s IRIS-T SLM was certified upon completing the required operational certification at the NATO Firing Range NAMFI (NATO Missile Firing Installation) in Crete. Dubbed Exercise Spartan Arrow, a launcher with the IRIS-T SLM interceptor belonging to the German Air Force’s Air Defence Missile Group 61 undertook its first live-firing and conducted training there on the integration of various system components, including the Hensoldt TRML-4D radar as well as the the Common Tactical Operations Center (CTOC).
In addition to German Air Force units, the Swedish Armed Forces also participated with their Patriot system, Sweden had also opted to procure Diehl’s IRIS-T SLM in 2025. The Swedish Patriot completed its first independent live firing via the networked system, marking the certification and validation of the Swedish Patriot systems by NATO and demonstrating bi-national interoperability with Germany. Following the successful certification shot, the IRIS-T SLM system was fully integrated into the tactical exercise scenario, demonstrating its effectiveness in conjunction with the Patriot (GER/SWE) and STINGER/LeFlaSys short-range air defence (SHORAD) systems. The LeFlaSys for short-range drone protection was networked by Airbus Defence and Space to deliver a connected, multi-layered defence chain covering long, medium, and short distances.
“The successful system certification firing confirms that IRIS-T SLM delivers reliable performance and a very high hit rate in operation. This is an important signal for the German Armed Forces and, consequently, for the ten nations that already rely on our air defence system,” said Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch.
In close cooperation with the armed forces of Germany and Sweden, Airbus demonstrated seamless networking to defend against drones and cruise missiles under realistic conditions and in real time. For the first time, both the German Air Force IRIS-T SLM and the Swedish Air Force Patriot air defence systems were connected to the German SAMOC (Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre) command post, the central software hub that acts as the “brain” for coordinating air defence weapons.
Airbus Defence and Space’s Head of Defence Digital & Cyber Andreas Reinecke added:”Effective air defence today is the result of a seamlessly integrated overall capability, not the performance of individual products. From initial target acquisition to a precise hit, our Command & Control solution in Crete showed how smoothly the interaction works. The SAMOC command post connects individual weapon systems into a reliable, digital protective shield for Europe.”
The German Armed Forces received its first IRIS-T SLM system in September 2024. The IRIS-T SLM is currently considered among the most modern, combat-proven GBAD systems, it was designed for countering threats posed by enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones at an effective range of up to 60km and an altitude up to 20km. Several targets can be engaged at the same time while protecting critical infrastructure and cities from cruise missiles, drones, aircraft, and helicopters. According to customers, the system achieves a very high hit rate even during waves of attack with more than 15 targets.
An IRIS-T fire unit consists of the components missile launcher, radar and tactical operations centre. The system is characterised by its real 360-degree coverage, high tactical mobility, deployability of the launchers and multiple target engagement with low personnel requirement.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Malaysia is looking to procure two batteries of medium-range air defence systems. Though no candidates have been made public, the government has allocated around US$462 million for two batteries of MERAD platforms that will form the backbone of Malaysia’s medium range air defence. Firms such as MBDA, Diehl Defence, Kongsberg, Aselsan, NORINCO, LIG Nex1 among others are likely some of the top names in consideration with a variety of highly capable MERAD systems offered.-–shp/adj/dl (Pix:AIRBUS)
