The Slovenian Ministry of Defence procured a further two fire units of the medium-range ground-based air defence system IRIS-T SLM within the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) contractual framework. Diehl Defence and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), on behalf of and with a power of attorney from the Republic of Slovenia, signed a purchase contract in July. After the initial procurement of one fire unit in January 2024, Slovenia now procures two more fire units, consisting of the components radar, tactical operations center and respective missile launchers as well as IRIS-T SLM guided missiles and logistic support. They are supplemented by support elements such as mobile workshop, spare parts and reloading vehicles.
The follow-up procurement is a strong signal, not only for the outstanding performance of the system, but also for the excellent customer relationship between Diehl Defence and the Slovenian project team. The contract is the first follow-up procurement within ESSI under the BAAINBw framework. Procurements within ESSI enable a faster procurement process as well as great synergy effects in the areas of training, maintenance and logistics in the future, from which ESSI customers will benefit. By now 24 member states are part of the European Sky Shield Initiative. Objectives of ESSI are to improve the interoperability of the nations with NATO and to create synergies through joint procurements.
The IRIS-T (infrared imaging system tail/thrust vector-controlled) is a short range infrared homing air-to-air missile. It is also called AIM-2000. The missile also has other variants, including the surface-to-air-launched IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM and their derivatives. The missile was developed in the late 1990s–early 2000s by a German-led program to produce a short to medium range infrared homing air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder in use by some NATO member countries at the time. A goal of the program was for any aircraft capable of firing the Sidewinder to also be capable of launching the IRIS-T. The air-to-air variant was fielded in 2005.
Within the Diehl Defence product range, IRIS-T SLM is designed for countering threats posed by enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones at a range of up to 40 km and an altitude of up to 20 km. The system is characterized by its real 360°-coverage, high tactical mobility, deployability of the missile launchers and multiple target engagement with low personnel requirement.The air defence system IRIS-T SLM system convinces with its excellent performance in operational use in Ukraine. According to the customer, the system achieved a very high hit rate even during waves of attack with more than 15 targets. Meanwhile, the IRIS-T family comprises 21 user countries: they have already procured or ordered the IRIS-T air-to-air guided missile or one of the Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T GBAD systems and thus rely on the outstanding performance of IRIS-T-based products.
