Second IRIS-T SLM firing unit delivered to Ukraine

From a press release by Diehl, Airbus and Hensoldt.

The general contractor Diehl Defence, together with its partners HENSOLDT and Airbus, has delivered the second fire unit of the IRIS-T SLM air defence system to Ukraine. As a result, two fire units were handed over to the customer within just six months, significantly improving its defence capabilities.

Air defence

Since entering service in Ukraine, the IRIS-T SLM system has demonstrated outstanding performance under combat conditions. According to customer statements, the system has achieved a hit rate of 100 per cent even in attack waves with more than 12 targets. Procurement of the system for the German armed forces is also planned.

Teamwork

Both the high delivery cadence and the rapid qualification and training as well as the extraordinary performance of IRIS-T SLM are due to the solid partnership between the three companies involved. Diehl Defence is the prime contractor and system integrator of all components for IRIS-T SLM; the company also supplies the launcher and the missiles. HENSOLDT is contributing the TRML-4D multifunction radar. The command post software IBMS-FC (Integrated Battle Management Software Fire Control) comes from Airbus.

Background

Diehl Defence, HENSOLDT and Airbus have been working together for a long time in the field of ground-based air defence systems. In addition, the IRIS-T SLX guided missile with a further increased performance of up to 80 km range and 30 km altitude coverage is currently under development. The performance data can be achieved through minor adjustments to the radar and command post with new effectors. IRIS-T SLM retains its key characteristics as a medium-range system and can continue to operate with high tactical mobility, deployability of launchers and multi-target engagement with low manpower requirements. HENSOLDT and Airbus are also partners of Diehl Defence for IRIS-T SLX.

National technology

As purely German systems, the joint solutions from Diehl Defence, Airbus and HENSOLDT are not dependent on foreign technology and therefore offer the highest level of approvability and certifiability for operation in Germany - as well as the highest possible security of supply. At the same time, they are fully compatible with NATO's integrated air defence architecture and have proven their interoperability.