Germany is considering the possibility of supplying Ukraine with a new IRIS-T SLM air defense system, according to Bild, specifying that the first delivery may take place in November this year.

IRIS-T SLM is a tactical medium-range air defense system based on the IRIS-T SL (SAM) anti-aircraft missile, as well as radar and fire control systems. The IRIS-T SL was originally designed as an additional missile for MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System), a ground-mobile air and missile defense system intended to replace the Patriot missile system.

This new missile system has been offered by Diehl BGT Defense to export customers since the beginning of 2011. IRIS-T SLM complements the IRIS-T SLS short-range air defense system in the Diehl BGT Defense product portfolio and has been in service with Sweden for several years, and is expected to be used in Germany and Egypt.

So far it is known that Ukraine has asked for 10 IRIS-T SLM systems, but they can be manufactured only in 3-4 years, so it is still difficult to say in what volume the first delivery of the system can take place.

IRIS-T SLM specifications

Weight – 89 kg
Length -3 meters
Diameter – 127 mm
Warhead – 11.4 kg, high-explosive fragmentation
Engine – solid fuel
Maximum range – up to 40 km
Maximum target altitude – up to 5 km
Cost – about $430,000 per unit