Switzerland plans to purchase up to five IRIS-T air defence systems
Switzerland plans to purchase four or five IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence systems from Germany's Diehl Defence.
Here's What We Know
Negotiations are at an advanced stage and the contract is expected to be signed in the third quarter of 2025. The procurement will take place within the framework of the European initiative "Sky Shield", which Switzerland joined as the 15th participant in October 2024.
It is important to note that last year the country's parliament approved funding of 660 million Swiss francs for the purchase of these systems as part of the rearmament programme.
The launcher of the IRIS-T SLM system. Illustration: Diehl
The future IRIS-T SLM system is designed to ensure the country's air sovereignty and protect against long-range attacks. The system will be integrated into Switzerland's overall air defence, which already uses the Patriot system.
In preparation for the procurement, Hensoldt's TRML-4D radar was tested in Switzerland from 31 March to 11 April. It was tested in difficult mountainous terrain to detect aircraft of various types - from F/A-18 to helicopters - and to check frequency compatibility with civilian systems, including weather radars.
It should be noted that IRIS-T SLM is already in active use in Germany and Ukraine, while Latvia, Slovenia and Bulgaria have placed orders for the system in 2023. The standard configuration includes a radar, fire control unit and launchers.
Source: Defence News
