Slovenia plans to purchase IRIS-T air defense systems
14 July, 2023 The launcher from the IRIS-T SLM SAM on fire position. Photo by Diehl Slovenia intends to purchase IRIS-T SLM air defense systems, Defense News reports.
The country seeks to purchase IRIS-T SLM air defense systems from Germany to support the European Sky Shield Initiative. In October 2022, some NATO countries, including Slovenia, signed an agreement on the creation of a pan-European air defense system.
IRIST SLM air defense system. Photo credits: Diehl
The estimated value of the deal has not been disclosed, but the local newspaper reports the allocation of £223 million in funding for the project to purchase a new air defense system.
"At the moment, we do not have a very efficient air defense system," said Marjan Sarec, Minister of Defense of Slovenia.
Launch of the IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Photo credits: Diehl
In the future, the country will be able to join other Eastern countries to implement an integrated air defense system with IRIS-T SLM systems. The overall composition of the Sky Shield Initiative is implemented from three systems is as follows:
- medium range - IRIS-T;
- long range - Patriot
- anti-ballistic missile defence - Arrow-3
As Militarnyi previously reported, Germany is buying six IRIS-T air defense systems for its own armed forces.
As part of the contract, the delivery of six IRIS-T air defense systems with a total of 216 guided missiles (72 of them training missiles) was agreed upon. Each air defense system consists of a radar, a control point and three launchers, each of which is designed for eight anti-aircraft missiles in transport-launch containers. The system also includes auxiliary vehicles for system maintenance and missile loading.
The main means for detection of aerial objects is the multifunctional TRML-4D radar by Hensoldt, which is able to detect aircraft at a distance of up to 250 km.
According to the current plan, the first system is to be delivered for training purposes as early as the third quarter of 2024. Serial deliveries to the German armed forces are planned from mid-2025 and should be completed in 2027. Anti-aircraft missiles will start arriving from mid-2025.
Also, as part of the agreement, an optional delivery of 665 additional guided missiles was agreed.