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. This means, that within just six months, two fire units have been handed over to the customer, which has significantly improved the customer’s defence capabilities. The IRIS-T SLM system has demonstrated excellent performance in combat conditions since its commissioning in Ukraine. According to the customer, the system achieved a 100 percent hit rate even in waves of attack with more than 12 targets. The procurement of the system for the German Bundeswehr is also envisaged. The high delivery frequency, rapid empowerment and training as well as the exceptional performance of IRIS-T SLM are a result of the solid partnership between the three companies involved.
For IRIS-T SLM, Diehl Defence is the general contractor and system integrator of all components; the company also supplies the launcher and the guided missiles. HENSOLDT provides the TRML-4D multi-functional radar. The Integrated Battle Management Software Fire Control (IBMS-FC) for the command post comes from Airbus. These joint solutions from Diehl Defence, Airbus and HENSOLDT are as purely German systems, independent of foreign technology and therefore offer the highest degree of accreditation and certifiability for operation in Germany and, in addition, the highest possible supply security. At the same time, they are fully compatible with NATO’s integrated air defence architecture and have demonstrated their interoperability.
Diehl Defence, HENSOLDT and Airbus have been working together in the field of ground-based air defence systems for a long time now. In addition, the IRIS-T SLX missile is under development with a further increase in performance to a range of up to 80 km and an altitude coverage of 30 km. The performance data can be achieved with new effectors through minor adjustments to the radar and command post. As a result, IRIS-T SLM retains its essential characteristics as a medium-range system and can continue to operate with high tactical mobility, deployability of the launchers and multiple target engagement with low manpower requirements. HENSOLDT and Airbus are partners of Diehl Defence for IRIS-T SLX as well.
Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG is a German weapon manufacturer and a division of the Diehl Stiftung with headquarters in Überlingen. Diehl Defence mainly produces missiles and ammunition. Diehl BGT Defence was founded in 2004 as a result of the merger of Bodenseewerke Gerätetechnik GmbH and Diehl Munitionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG. In February 2017, Diehl BGT Defence and Diehl Defence Holding were merged into Diehl Defence. Based on the experience with the Sidewinder, Diehl developed a progressive new seeker for a new type of short-range air-to-air missile – the IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System). IRIS-T is currently being adopted by the German Air Force and other European air forces.
