Breaking News: Switzerland orders German IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system for airspace protection.

According to information published by the German company Diehl Defence on July 22, 2025, Diehl Defence and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) have signed contracts for the procurement of ground-based air defence (GBAD) missile systems of the type IRIS-T SLM for Switzerland. The agreement was concluded on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse, which had authorized the BAAINBw to act as the contracting authority.
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The IRIS-T SLM is a German-made medium-range air defense missile system designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones at ranges up to 40 km and altitudes of 20 km, offering 360-degree coverage and high mobility for modern battlefield protection. (Picture source: German MoD)

This contract follows Switzerland’s formal accession to the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) in October 2024, where it became the 19th of currently 24 participating nations. The acquisition represents a strategic milestone in Switzerland’s modernization of its national air defense network.

The Swiss Armed Forces had identified a critical gap in their medium-range air defense capabilities, prompting the launch of the Bodluv MR (Boden-Luft Verteidigung Mittelstrecke) program. This effort aims to equip Switzerland with a modern, mobile, and highly effective air defense solution capable of countering a broad spectrum of contemporary aerial threats. Prior to this acquisition, the Swiss military lacked a medium-range system with the operational flexibility to effectively engage fast-moving aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems at extended distances. The new IRIS-T SLM air defense missile systems will serve as a cornerstone of Switzerland’s Integrated Air Defence (IAD) architecture, ensuring national sovereignty and readiness in a rapidly evolving threat environment.

Under the terms of the contract, Switzerland will receive five IRIS-T SLM systems along with an extensive support package. This includes logistics vehicles configured for mobile system maintenance, spare parts provisioning, and the establishment of a dedicated training station for Swiss personnel. The systems will be fully integrated into Switzerland’s national command and control infrastructure and are expected to become operational as part of the broader Bodluv MR network in the coming years. The standardized procurement via ESSI allows Switzerland to accelerate the acquisition process while benefiting from shared training, logistics, and maintenance structures across ESSI member nations.

The IRIS-T SLM (Surface-Launched Medium Range) is one of the most advanced ground-based air defense systems currently available. Developed by German company Diehl Defence, it is derived from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile and adapted for vertical launch from mobile ground platforms. Each fire unit typically includes a CEAFAR multifunctional active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a tactical operations center, and several mobile launchers capable of engaging multiple simultaneous targets. With a maximum range of 40 kilometers and engagement altitude of up to 20 kilometers, the system provides 360-degree coverage and is effective against both conventional and asymmetric aerial threats. Its modular design and high mobility make it suitable for decentralized deployment across complex terrain, a key requirement for the Swiss operational landscape.

In recent operational evaluations and real-world deployments, the IRIS-T SLM has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness. According to customer reports, the system maintains a very high hit probability even under conditions involving massed air attacks with more than a dozen simultaneous threats. The fire-and-forget missile, combined with advanced guidance and targeting algorithms, enables rapid target engagement and minimizes response time. These attributes make the system particularly valuable in modern air defense scenarios where speed, saturation resistance, and precision are essential.

Switzerland's procurement of the IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system through the ESSI framework highlights a broader European push toward unified and interoperable air defense solutions. The standardized contract model not only reduces delivery times but also facilitates deeper cooperation among ESSI members in areas such as personnel training, logistical support, and cross-border system integration. By joining this initiative and selecting IRIS-T SLM, Switzerland positions itself within a growing network of allied countries dedicated to strengthening collective airspace security in response to rising global tensions and the increasing complexity of airborne threats.