IRIS-T SL
The IRIS-T SL is a family of short and high to medium air defense surface-to-air missile systems. The missile systems are developed from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile. Two variants and their derivatives are at the moment in service. Those two variants are IRIS-T SLS and the IRIS-T SLM, respectively Surface Launched Short range and Surface Launched Medium range.
The IRIS-T SLS, known locally as the Robotsystem 98 entered service in 2020 after a trial period. The IRIS-T SLM entered service in 2022 with Ukraine, and later with Egypt.
The IRIS-T air defence system is designed to defend an area from aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, drones, all of which can be stealthy.
Design of the Missiles
IRIS-T SLS
The IRIS-T SLS is the same missile as the air-to-air variant.IRIS-T SLM
supplies the rocket engine with its TVC for both the IRIS-T air-to-air missile and the SL variants.Design of the fire units variants
The design of the variants depend on the user. As a general principle, a fire unit is composed of a command vehicle equipped with a target designation radar. This command vehicle communicates with one or several launch vehicles. A fire unit can be incorporated into a common air-defence command system.IRIS-T SLS
Robotsystem 98 (RBS 98)
IRIS-T SLS is the air defence system which uses the IRIS-T AAM with few software modifications. However, its operational range is reduced from 25 km to 12 km, as has the ceiling from 8 to 6 km. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2 and average speed of 400 m/s, and it cannot attack targets that are closer than 1 km. The IRIS-T SLS has lock-on after launch capability which enable it to launch missiles without actually locking on any target. Once the missile receives the target's data in the form of three-dimensional coordinates, it will employ inertial guidance mode during the initial phase of flight. After attaining the required engagement altitude, the seeker activates and begins scanning the expected target zone. If the radar is unavailable, there is a portable target designator that is equipped with an IR camera and an integrated laser rangefinder. The crew can use it as an alternative to transmit target information to the missile.In 2018, Diehl Defence demonstrated a Bv 410-based IRIS-T SLS system integrated with a Saab Giraffe 1X radar during the ILA. In 2019, the Swedish Army fielded a ground launched version of the IRIS-T SLS, designated Luftvärnsrobotsystem 98, to replace the RBS 70 missile system. Four missiles are carried on Eldenhet 98 launcher, a special version of a Bv 410 tracked, armoured vehicle. Compared to the one demonstrated on the ILA 2018, there was no radar on the Swedish Eldenhet 98. Instead, the Swedish Army used the Underrättelseenhet 23 radar truck as its radar unit.
NOMADS
The Norwegian Army ordered the "mobile ground based air defence system", based on NASAMS command and control solutions, in a direct acquisition with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The system will integrate tracked IRIS-T SLS launchers from Diehl Defence GmbH with High Mobility Launchers for AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles and XENTA-M radars from Weibel Scientific; initial delivery is planned for 2023 and will include six modified M113 vehicles carrying IRIS-T SLS missiles, while additional launchers will be based on the ACSV.IRIS-T SLS Mk. III
In 2022, Diehl Defence showed a new air defence system called IRIS-T SLS Mk. III at the Eurosatory. It was a modified Mowag Eagle 6×6 armoured vehicle integrated with IRIS-T SLS launcher, Hensoldt Spexer 2000 3D AESA or a Xenta-M, and it can be equipped with a.50 machine gun in the remote controlled weapon station. Its STANAG 4569 protection was level 1, and it could be upgraded to level 3 by adding armor kit. This vehicle had integrated the missile launcher, the radar, the sensors and the C2 command system, making it able to operate independently as an air defence system.IRIS-T SLS fire unit
In February 2025, it's revealed that a Ukrainian IRIS-T SLS air defence system consisted of two Italian Iveco 4×4 trucks that integrated with SLS missile launcher. The system is also integrated with the TRML-4D radar, which guides the missiles to the target.IRIS-T SLM
IRIS-T SLM is the air defence system which uses the IRIS-T SL missile. As a part of the NATO MEADS program, the German Air Force and others are now using this missile. It has a pointed nose, unlike the regular IRIS-T, with a jettisonable drag-reducing nose cone. The missile uses a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, with radio data link for command guidance during the initial approach. The interference-resistant IR seeker head is activated at the terminal stage.Compared to the IRIS-T, the diameter of the rocket motor was increased by 25 mm, to 152 mm. Test launches from a fire unit consisting of a CEA CEAFAR radar, a Diehl IRIS-T SL launcher and an Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system were performed in 2014. The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed in January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa. A further fire test on the developed system of the IRIS-T SLM was completed in January 2022.
An IRIS-T SLM air defence system consists of a tactical operation center, a logistic support unit, several radar units, and 3 or 4 missile trucks. The IRIS-T SLM can be integrated with a variety of electro-optical/infrared guidance systems and AESA radars, such as Hensoldt TRML-4D, Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C, CEA CEAFAR, and Saab Giraffe 4A. A version with a Lockheed-Martin Skykeeper command and control station, Giraffe 4A radar and Diehl IRIS-T SLM launcher was shown at IDEX 2019 under the name Falcon Ground Based Air Defence.
Egypt ordered Diehl IRIS-T SLM launchers, Hensoldt TRML-4D radars, and fire and control stations equipped with Airbus Defence Fortion IBMS integrated battle management software, all mounted on MAN 8×8 military trucks; the deal was approved by the German government in December 2021. Further orders includes Hensoldt passive radars, IRIS-T SLS launchers and IRIS-T SLX long-range missiles. Passive radars can detect enemy aircraft by analysing reflections from external radio and television signals, making them effective in urban areas where active radars struggle.
The German Air Force has received its first IRIS-T SLM system in 2024 and is to receive five more by 2027. Also, mixed SLS/SLM systems are being planned.
Variants in development
IRIS-T SLX
IRIS-T SLX is an upgraded variant of IRIS-T surface-to-air missile which has the operational range of 80 km and ceiling of 30 km. It will also use a combined radar and infrared seeker. On the ILA 2024, Diehl Defence displayed a missile model of the developing IRIS-T SLX, which looked quite different to both IRIS-T AAM and IRIS-T SL. This new missile can be integrated into the IRIS-T SLM launchers, which can be loaded with a mix of SL and SLX missiles as the result. Only 50 to 60 soldiers are needed for each system. The Diehl Defence chief programme officer Harald Buschek said this variant was capable of countering standoff weapons, and it was likely to be ready for operation within around 4 years. It also would retain the ability to engage cruise missiles and helicopters.IRIS-T HYDEF
The Hypersonic Defence is a program for missile defence against hypersonic threats. The consortium of this project consists of 13 companies from seven European nations. The HYDEF project is based on the successful contract signing in July 2022, dealing with a project study of an overall endo-atmospheric interceptor concept for air defence. At that time, the HYDEF project prevailed over the competitor and could win the Europe-wide tender. Hensoldt and Airbus are also involved as national partners in the HYDEF project. On 31 October 2023, SMS and Diehl Defence signed the contract with OCCAR, marking the official start of the project. It has the operational range of 100 km and ceiling of 50 km.On the ILA 2024, Diehl Defence revealed that they were working on a two-stage missile to defend against hypersonic weapons. It will consist of a booster as a starting engine and a warhead called "Kill vehicle" for the direct hit. This should enable it to attack targets at a distance of up to 100 km and an altitude of 50 km with a high level of agility. It should refer to IRIS-T HYDEF.
Naval surface-to-air missile
Diehl mentioned that the IRIS-T SLM missile was being integrated to the Mark 41 vertical launching system.The German procurement agency BAAINBw signed a contract with Diehl for a feasibility study to integrate the IRIS-T SLM to the in December 2024. This contract includes a risk analysis, and the production of a system demonstrator. During the Maritime Firing Exercise 2025 the navalised system demonstrator of the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defence system was successfully tested aboard the German frigate Baden-Württemberg.
In November 2025, Lockheed Martin and Diehl signed a contract to integrate the IRIS-T SLM to the Mk41 VLS, and to the AEGIS combat system.
Integration of alternative radars
In October 2025, Hanwha and Diehl signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate the Hanwha Multi-Function Radar family of radars with the intent to explore new markets.Operators
Current operators
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Future operators and planned orders
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; ESSI members