The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed an agreement with the German defense company Diehl Defence for the procurement of seven fire units of the Iris-T SLM medium-range air defense system. The purchase is part of Sweden’s participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) – a multinational project to strengthen European air and missile defense capabilities.
Christer Mellgren, Project Manager at FMV, explains: “It’s a very large order that includes both medium-range and short-range air defense systems – including missiles, various radar systems, command and control systems, vehicles and more.”
The air defense companies of all Swedish brigades are to receive new equipment as part of this procurement. The first systems are to be delivered to the armed forces as early as mid-2028, with overall delivery planned by mid-2030.
“As the time frame is very tight, we have to concentrate largely on systems that are already in production and operation. We simply don’t have the time to develop new systems or make major adjustments. And as we have a fixed budget, we have to do without certain things in order to meet the targets,” continues Mellgren.
According to Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the contract has a volume of around 870 million euros.
Proven fighting power from Ukraine
In a statement, the FMV emphasizes that the procurement strengthens Sweden’s role within the ESSI and contributes to Europe’s collective security. The system has proven its performance against a variety of airborne threats in Ukraine and has been widely praised internationally. and has been widely praised internationally.
Since 2022, Latvia (-> Latvia opts for Iris-T SLM) and Estonia as well as Slovenia (-> Iris-T SLM for Slovenia) have procured or introduced the system. Most recently, Denmark Denmark has also opted for Iris-T SLM – the Scandinavian country is also strengthening its air defense with Nasams from Kongsberg and VC Mica from MBDA.
Iris-T already in service with the Swedish army
Sweden is already using ground-based Iris-T systems: The Robotsystem 98 air defense system uses the articulated BV 410 from BAE Systems Hägglunds as a carrier platform and fires the short-range variant Iris-T SLS (Surface-Launched Short Range).
Apart from software adaptations, this is the same rocket that is also used in the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet, the Austrian Eurofighter and, in future, the new jet trainer Leonardo M-346 jet trainer of the Austrian Armed Forces (-> All details on the planned M-346 purchase by the Austrian Armed Forces) will be used.
Austria also plans air defence modernization
The Austrian Armed Forces will also invest in short and medium-range air defense systems as part of the “2032+ build-up plan”. The Iris-T system from Diehl is one of several systems currently on the shortlist.
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