Switzerland provides for the purchase of at least four IRIS-T SLM medium-range ground-based air defense systems, produced by the German company Diehl DefenceThis was announced by Armasuisse, the Federal Office for Defense Procurement, confirming that negotiations with the manufacturer are currently at an advanced stage.
The signing of the contract is expected for the third quarter of 2025, within the framework of the European programme European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), to which Switzerland joined last October such as fifteenth member country, with an initial focus on medium-range air defense.
In 2023, the Swiss Parliament approved a Credit guarantee of 660 million Swiss francs (approximately $809 million) to support the acquisition under the Armament program 2024. The decision comes in the context of a growing European commitment to strengthening defence capabilities, in response to Russia's ongoing missile and drone attacks against civilian and military targets in Ukraine.
“The future ground-based air defence will make a decisive contribution to maintaining airspace sovereignty and protecting against attacks with long-range weapons,” Armasuisse said. The new system will be integrated into the national air defence network, as part of the Integrated Air Defense (IAD).
Operational tests in mountainous environments: TRML-4D radar under examination
A crucial step in the acquisition process has been taken between March 31 and April 11, 2025, with a series of radar tests TRML-4D provided by Hensoldt, conducted in collaboration with Diehl Defence and the Swiss Armed Forces.
The tests were conducted in two strategic locations: the federal site of Homberg and theEmmen airfield, to test the system's performance in Switzerland's complex mountainous topography — where over 70% of the territory is covered by relief, and a quarter is above 2,000 meters above sea level.
The radar has demonstrated detection and classification capabilities on various types of aircraft, including PC-12, PC-7, F/A-18 and helicopters, operating in the usual training spaces. In addition, checks were conducted on the electromagnetic compatibility with civil systems, like weather radar.
No firing tests were carried out, but the use of a radar target simulator allowed testing the sensor's capability in the presence of targets with different speeds and radar cross-sections.
Exposure to non-ionizing radiation (NIR) remained within the limits set by Swiss regulations: Armasuisse operated with regularity broadcast authorization released by theFederal Office of Communications (OFCOM).
Filling the Gaps: The Role of the IRIS-T SLM System
The project “GBAD MR” (Ground-Based Air Defence Medium Range) aims to replace the anti-aircraft systems currently in use — now nearing the end of their operational life — and to fill an important gap in the ability to counteract stand-off weapons, i.e. long-range launched weapon systems.
The new system will allow to expand the coverage of the airspace to medium distance, going to join the long-range system Patriot, already supplied. Existing systems, such as the Stingers and medium anti-aircraft artillery, are no longer adequate to counter modern threats, such as missiles and aircraft capable of striking from high altitudes and at long range.
In addition to Switzerland, the IRIS-T SLM system is already in use in Germany e Ukraine. Latvia formalized an order in November 2023, while Slovenia e Bulgaria have joined the program during 2024. Each system is composed of a TRML-4D radar, a fire control command center e more mobile launchers.
In parallel, Diehl has signed an agreement of cooperation with the Danish company MDSI to extend missile integration IRIS-T short range on a wider range of combat aircraft. The missile is currently already integrated on Eurofighter, Gripen, F-16, Tornado, EF-18, KF-21 e F-5E.
“Thanks to the partnership with MDSI, we are expanding the possibilities of using our missile system even on platforms that until now were considered to have limited compatibility”, stated Martin Walker, senior manager for integration programs at Diehl.
The short-range IRIS-T missile, integrable on a wide range of combat aircraft
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
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