Home reports armor Procurement of six IRIS-T SLM air defense systems under contract

Bundeswehr investiert in die Fähigkeiten zur Luftverteidigung — An IRIS-T SLM eightfold launcher in a protected position space when launching a rocket (Photo: Diehl)

Procurement of six IRIS-T SLM air defense systems under contract

Gerhard Heiming

June 23, 2023

On June 22, the Bundeswehr procurement office BAAINBw signed the supply contract with Diehl Defense for six fire units of the IRIS-T SLM air defense system. A few days earlier, on June 14, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved a budget of 950 million euros for this purpose.

A fire unit consists of the components all-round radar, tactical operations center and three eight-point launchers as well as support vehicles for maintenance and loading. There are also operational and training guided missiles. Hensoldt (radar device), Airbus Defense and Space (command and weapon deployment system), Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (carrier vehicles) and Rhode & Schwarz (wireless communication) are involved as subcontractors.

The components of IRIS-T SLM at a glance: (from left) launcher, radar, operations center

Alle Komponenten sind auf Standard-20-Fuß-ISO-Containerrahmen integriert und sind damit auf modernen HX-Lkw mit der Antriebsformel 8×8 sowie per Bahn, Flugzeug oder Schiff transportierbar. Für den Lufttransport eignen sich die Transportflugzeuge A400M, C130-J und größere Maschinen. Das System wird nach Angaben des BMVg gegen Bedrohungen aus der Luft wie zum Beispiel Drohnen, Flugzeuge, Hubschrauber oder Marschflugkörper eingesetzt. Es bewähre sich derzeit in der Ukraine unter realen Gefechtsbedingungen.

The multifunction radar TRML-4D from Hensoldt is used as the main sensor. According to the manufacturer, the TRML-4D is based on the most advanced solid-state AESA (Gallium Nitride Active Electronically Scanned Array) sensor technology with multiple digitally shaped beams and is designed for short- and long-range ground-to-air detection and weapon use.

Das taktische Operationszentrum (Tactical Operation Center, TOC) in einem 20-Fuß-ISO-Container bietet in der Exportversion Platz für zwei Operateure. Die Einsatzplanung und Führung des Feuerkampfs erfolgt mithilfe der Integrierten Gefechtsführungs- und Feuerleitsoftware Fortion IMBS-FC (Integrated Battle Management Software-Fire Control) von Airbus Defence and Space. Sowohl das Radargerät als auch die Werfer werden aus dem TOC gesteuert.

The launcher unit is transported to the place of use by an HX truck with a container frame. Thanks to its own power supply and missile guidance system, the unit can be deployed separately from the other system components. Eight missiles in multifunctional containers are ready to fire within ten minutes.

The procurement contract with Diehl Defense stipulates the delivery of six fire units with a total of 216 guided missiles (72 of which are training missiles). The first system should already be available for qualification purposes in 2014. Series delivery is planned from the end of 2025 and should be completed in 2027. The missiles will arrive from mid-2025. Optionally, the delivery of a further 665 guided missiles in two tranches has been agreed, which can be called up by January 1, 2027 and December 31, 2030.

In the past few months, the German Armed Forces, together with industry, have trained Ukrainian operators on the IRIS-T SLM. Therefore, it already has system knowledge and its own training capacity, with which an initial operational capability can be quickly established after delivery of the first.

Gerhard Heiming

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