Denmark and Sweden order more IRIS-Ts

Diehl has received an order from the FMV for the IRIS-T SLS system, which Sweden mounts on the trailer of the BvS10. (Swedish MoD)

Denmark and Sweden have ordered more IRIS-T air-defence systems. The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) and Diehl Defence announced on 9 December that they had signed a contract for more IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium Range) ground-based air defence (GBAD) systems as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The next day, Diehl announced in a press release that it had received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Short Range) GBAD systems.

In addition to SLS launchers, the Swedish contract covers a comprehensive logistics package, including spare parts. Diehl noted that IRIS-T SLS covers the short- and very-short-range air-defence layers. The system uses the same IRIS-T air-to-air missile that arms Swedish Air Force Gripen combat aircraft. The ground-launched version provides soldiers and infrastructure 360° protection against missiles as well as fixed- and rotary-wing combat aircraft.

Diehl said in a press release on 9 December that the Danish contract covers an unspecified number of additional IRIS-T SLM GBAD systems to protect civilians, the Danish Armed Forces, and critical infrastructure. In July DALO signed a contract for an IRIS-T SLM fire unit for the initial build up of Danish GBAD. Under the new contract, an unspecified number of IRIS-T SLM systems will be acquired for permanent GBAD.