Slovenia will spend $223 million to buy German IRIS-T SLM air defence systems, which were 100% effective in Ukraine

The Ukrainian defence forces are effectively using German IRIS-T SLM medium-range surface-to-air missile systems. Against this background, demand for air defence systems has begun to grow. In particular, Slovenia is ready to spend several hundred million dollars for the purchase.

Here's What We Know

Like Germany, Slovenia participates in the Sky Shield initiative, aimed at providing missile and air defence for Europe. The relevant contract was signed in mid-autumn last year.

Officially, the amount of the deal is not specified. However, Defense News, citing the Slovenian newspaper Delo, said that the European country will spend €200 million ($223 million) to buy German IRIS-T SLM surface-to-air missile systems manufactured by Diehl Defence.

Germany has selected the IRIS-T SLM and MIM-104 Patriot to provide medium and long-range air defence respectively as part of its Sky Shield project. For ballistic defence, Berlin will buy more than $4 billion worth of Arrow-3 missile defence systems.

The IRIS-T SLM can shoot down air threats at altitudes of up to 20 kilometres and ranges of up to 40 kilometres. The system is designed to intercept cruise missiles, but its TRML-4D radar is capable of tracking ballistic targets.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces received two IRIS-T SLM systems, one each in 2022 and 2023. In early May, the Defence Forces showed a video of combat operations for the first time. The video said that the surface-to-air missile system demonstrated 100 per cent effectiveness in destroying air threats.

Source: Defence News