The defense ministers of Germany and Estonia, Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Hanno Pevkur, and Ināra Mūrniece, the defense minister of Latvia, have signed the procurement contracts for IRIS-T SLM.
The Infrared Imaging System Tail Surface Launched Medium Range (IRIS-T SLM) ground-based air defense system is designed for short-range protection. It can defend against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles or drones at a range of up to 40 kilometers. The system thus fills a significant capability gap in short-range defense. IRIS-T SLM consists of three components: the Command Post, a Radar Unit and a Launchers for firing guided missiles. Major advantages of the weapon system are its high mobility and low manpower requirements. The procurement is part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). Consequently, the Baltic countries Estonia and Latvia are participating in the project alongside Germany. The initiative is not a closed system. Other nations could join it. Pistorius explained that the european air defense would be significantly strengthened and with it the overall capabilities in national and alliance defense.
The procurement was preceded by the approval of the Budget Committee in June 2023. A total of six units are to be supplied to the German armed forces. The weapon system is not unknown to them. The German Air Force has already trained Ukrainian soldiers in the use of IRIS-T SLM. Germany has so far handed over two fire units to Ukraine. Their deployment in the field has been successful so far.
