Missile IRIS-T SLM
Summary
| Category | Surface-to-Air Missiles |
| Sub-type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Origin country | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Manufacturer | Diehl Defence |
| Status | In service |
| Year of service | 2020 |
| Est. avg unit price | $0.6 million |
Technical specifications
| Warhead | Dual-layer HE/fragmentation |
| Warhead weight | 11 kg (24 lb) |
| Diameter | 152 mm (6.0 in) |
| Span | 447 mm (17.6 in) |
| Length | 3,450 mm (135.8 in) |
| Flight altitude | 50,000 m (164,042 ft) |
| Weight | 130 kg (287 lb) |
| Range | 40 km (25 mi) |
| Max. speed | 3,600 km/h (Mach 3.6) |
IRIS-T SLM scale diagram
Description
The IRIS-T SL is a family of surface-to-air missile systems developed from an air-to-air missile. Development began in 2007, with the short-range variant entering service in 2020 and the medium-range variant in 2022.
The missile employs a solid-fuel rocket engine with thrust vectoring control. Steering is provided by four exhaust vanes and four tail wings. The interceptor is equipped with a dual-layer high-explosive fragmentation warhead, utilizing both impact and active radar proximity fuses for detonation. Guidance for short and medium-range variants is provided by an imaging infrared seeker. The short-range version features lock-on after launch capability and uses inertial guidance during the initial flight phase. The medium-range version features a pointed, jettisonable nose cone and uses a GPS-aided inertial navigation system with a radio data link for mid-course command guidance. A long-range variant under development utilizes combined radar and infrared guidance, while a hypersonic defense version employs a two-stage design consisting of a booster and a kinetic kill vehicle. Fire units are modular, typically consisting of a tactical operation center, radar units, and multiple launch vehicles. The system is compatible with various active electronically scanned array (AESA) and passive radars.
The system is operated by Egypt, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Ukraine. Sweden operates the short-range variant under the designation Robotsystem 98. Several other nations, including Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, and Switzerland, have initiated procurement or signed contracts for the system. It has seen combat use during the Russo-Ukrainian War, where it has been deployed against fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. Interceptions of Kalibr cruise missiles have been reported. During one engagement, a fire unit commander reported the destruction of eight cruise missiles within 30 seconds. In 2023, a radar unit was reportedly damaged by a loitering munition during operations in Ukraine. Naval trials have been conducted, including test firings from a frigate in 2025. Integration efforts are also underway for use with vertical launching systems and maritime combat systems.