Slovenia has procured two additional IRIS-T SLM fire units from Diehl Defence as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).
Following an initial procurement of a single medium-range ground-based air defense system in January 2024, Ljubljana’s latest order comprises the radar, a tactical operations center, missile launchers, IRIS-T SLM missiles, logistics support, a mobile workshop, spare parts, and reloading vehicles.
The agreement was first signed in July by the German arms procurement agency (BAAINBw) on behalf of Slovenia and announced in August. It is also the first follow-up procurement under the ESSI framework within the BAAINBw framework, according to Diehl.
European Sky Shield Initiative
Launched a few months after the outbreak of the war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, the German-led project intends to reinforce Europe’s ability to detect, track, and engage various aerial and missile threats.
It involves faster, cost-effective joint procurement efforts that support enhanced interoperability among NATO allies while creating a coordinated and multilayered defense shield.
ESSI comprises more than 20 European countries, including Bulgaria and Switzerland, which procured five IRIS-T SLM systems last month.
IRIS-T SLM
The IRIS-T SLM system provides 360-degree protection against aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, guided weapons, and drones.
It utilizes Hensoldt’s TRML-4D multifunction radar for target detection and tracking.
Mounted on a Rheinmetall MAN 8×8 truck chassis, the missile launchers each carry eight ready-to-fire IRIS-T SLM missiles, with each interceptor having a maximum range of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) and an altitude of up to 20 kilometers (12 miles).
