Switzerland has procured five IRIS-T SLM ground-based air-defense systems as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative.
The German arms procurement agency signed the procurement contract with IRIS-T’s German manufacturer Diehl Defence on behalf of the Swiss arms procurement agency.
Earlier, the Swiss Federal Council approved the procurement on June 20 followed by the signing of the National Armaments Director Urs Loher.
The procurement amount has not been disclosed. However, a credit guarantee of 660 million Swiss Francs ($832 million) was approved by Bern for medium-range air defense in the 2024 armament program.
“With five IRIS-T SLM systems, the Swiss Armed Forces is closing a key capability gap and strengthening resilience to modern threats from the air,” the Swiss procurement agency stated.
“The system supplements the procurement of the combat aircraft F-35A and the ground-based air defence Patriot for longer ranges.”
The deal includes logistics vehicles, spare parts, and a training station for the Swiss Armed Forces.
European Sky Shield
The medium-range system will operate as part of an integrated ground-based air defense system across Europe being developed through the European Sky Shield Initiative.
Switzerland joined the Germany-led program in April while recalibrating its traditional military neutrality following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The initiative seeks joint procurement of air-and-missile defense systems for reduced procurement costs and to enable cooperation in training, maintenance, and logistics.
In addition to Germany and Switzerland, the initiative has 22 European countries as of 2025.
IRIS-T SLM
The air defense version of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, the IRIS-T SLM includes a missile launcher, radar, and command and control system.
The system is capable of neutralizing threats from fighter jets, helicopters, and cruise missiles over a range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and an altitude of up to 20 kilometers (12.5 miles).
In addition to Switzerland, eight other countries have opted for the system, including Ukraine, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia and Bulgaria.
“The system is characterized by true 360° coverage, high tactical mobility, deployability of launchers and multiple target engagement with low personnel requirement,” Diehl Defence stated.
“IRIS-T SLM convinces with its excellent performance in operational use: According to customers, the system achieves a very high hit rate even during waves of attack with more than twelve targets.”
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