As part of the European Sky Shield Initiative, Slovenia has secured two additional IRIS-T SLM air defense systems from Diehl Defence. The country had previously acquired one such unit in early 2024.
The package includes radar, missile launchers, command centers, reloading vehicles, spare parts, and logistics support. The procurement was facilitated by Germany’s defense procurement office BAAINBw on Slovenia’s behalf.
This order is notable as the first follow-up acquisition under the ESSI framework. Led by Germany, ESSI aims to develop an integrated air and missile defense architecture across over 20 European countries, including Bulgaria and Switzerland.
The IRIS-T SLM provides all-round defense against aircraft, helicopters, drones, and missiles. Using Hensoldt’s TRML-4D radar and mounted on Rheinmetall trucks, each unit carries eight interceptors with high precision and a 40-kilometer range.
