The IRIS-T SLM is a German medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Diehl Defence. It belongs to the IRIS-T family and is designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions at medium range with extremely high accuracy. System Components:

Launcher Vehicle: MAN 8x8 truck carrying eight vertical-launch missile canisters
Missile: IRIS-T SLM, a modified IRIS-T with a larger rocket motor, datalink guidance, and extended range
Radar: HENSOLDT TRML-4D AESA radar with 360° coverage and simultaneous tracking of hundreds of targets
Command and Control Unit: Manages engagement, target assignment, and communication with other air defense assets

Performance and Capabilities:

Maximum range: approximately 40 km
Maximum engagement altitude: approximately 20 km
Guidance: Imaging infrared seeker with datalink mid-course updates
Very short reaction time, suitable for high-speed threats
Multi-target engagement capability

Threats It Can Counter: Fighter aircraft, attack helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions. Operators: Ukraine, Germany, Egypt, and several European countries through the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). Future Development: Diehl Defence is developing the IRIS-T SLX, an extended-range missile with approximately 80 km range. The new SLM/X launcher can fire both SLM and SLX missiles without changing the system architecture.

IRIS-T SLM Air Defense System

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