Sweden procures IRIS-T SLM

The FMV is procuring seven IRIS-T SLM fire units for the Swedish Army's brigades and Gotland battlegroup. (Diehl Defence)

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defence Minister Pål Jonson announced during a press conference on Gotland on 24 June that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) will procure seven IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium Range) ground-based air-defence system fire units. The SEK9 billion (nearly USD948 million) agreement signed the same day foresees deliveries from mid-2028 to mid-2030, Diehl Defence said in a press release on 25 June.

The systems will equip five air-defence companies of the Swedish Army's brigades and Gotland battlegroup. Diehl noted that IRIS-T SLM is designed to defend against threats including enemy fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles at a range of up to 40 km and an altitude of up to 20 km. It is made up of two missile launchers, a radar vehicle, and a command-and-control system for airspace surveillance and targeting, with support including a workshop, spare parts, and reloading vehicles. Sweden has ordered a total of 49 vehicles.

IRIS-T SLM features high-tactical mobility and deployability of its missile launchers, with multiple target engagement and requiring few personnel, according to Diehl. The Swedish Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a press release on 24 June that Swedish air-defence companies number 140 personnel each.

The ministry reported that IRIS-T SLM is operating effectively in defending Ukrainian airspace. Diehl cited customer feedback that the system has a very high hit rate, including against swarms numbering more than 12 targets.