The IRIS-T SL (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled Surface Launched) is a family of short and high to medium air defense surface-to-air missile systems. The missile systems are developed from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile. Two variants and their derivatives are at the moment in service. Those two variants are IRIS-T SLS and the IRIS-T SLM, respectively Surface Launched Short range and Surface Launched Medium range.
The IRIS-T SLS, known locally as the Robotsystem 98 (RBS 98) entered service in 2020 after a trial period. The IRIS-T SLM entered service in 2022 with Ukraine, and later with Egypt.
The IRIS-T air defence system is designed to defend an area from aircraft (including jet fighters), helicopters, cruise missiles, drones, all of which can be stealthy.
Design of the Missiles
IRIS-T SLS The IRIS-T SLS is the same missile as the air-to-air variant.
IRIS-T SLM NAMMO Raufoss supplies the rocket engine with its TVC (thrust vector control) for both the IRIS-T air-to-air missile and the SL variants.
Design of the fire units variants The design of the variants depend on the user. As a general principle, a fire unit is composed of a command vehicle equipped with a target designation radar. This command vehicle communicates with one or several launch vehicles. A fire unit can be incorporated into a common air-defence command system.
IRIS-T SLS
Robotsystem 98 (RBS 98)
IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Standard) is the air defence system which uses the IRIS-T AAM with few software modifications. However, its operational range is reduced from 25 km to 12 km, as has the ceiling from 8 to 6 km. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2 and average speed of 400 m/s, and it cannot attack targets that are closer than 1 km. The IRIS-T SLS has lock-on after launch capability which enable it to launch missiles without actually locking on any target. Once the missile receives the target's data in the form of three-dimensional coordinates, it will employ inertial guidance mode during the initial phase of flight. After attaining the required engagement altitude, the seeker activates and begins scanning the expected target zone. If the radar is unavailable, there is a portable target designator that is equipped with an IR camera and an integrated laser rangefinder. The crew can use it as an alternative to transmit target information to the missile.
In 2018, Diehl Defence demonstrated a Bv 410-based IRIS-T SLS system integrated with a Saab Giraffe 1X radar during the ILA. In 2019, the Swedish Army fielded a ground launched version of the IRIS-T SLS, designated Luftvärnsrobotsystem 98 (lvrbs 98), to replace the RBS 70 missile system. Four missiles are carried on Eldenhet 98 (elde 98) launcher, a special version of a Bv 410 tracked, armoured vehicle. Compared to the one demonstrated on the ILA 2018, there was no radar on the Swedish Eldenhet 98. Instead, the Swedish Army used the Underrättelseenhet 23 (UndE 23) radar truck as its radar unit.
NOMADS
The Norwegian Army ordered the "mobile ground based air defence system", based on NASAMS command and control solutions, in a direct acquisition with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The system will integrate tracked IRIS-T SLS launchers from Diehl Defence GmbH with High Mobility Launchers for AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles and XENTA-M radars from Weibel Scientific; initial delivery is planned for 2023 and will include six modified M113 vehicles carrying IRIS-T SLS missiles, while additional launchers will be based on the ACSV.
IRIS-T SLS Mk. III
In 2022, Diehl Defence showed a new air defence system called IRIS-T SLS Mk. III at the Eurosatory. It was a modified Mowag Eagle 6×6 armoured vehicle integrated with IRIS-T SLS launcher, Hensoldt Spexer 2000 3D AESA or a Xenta-M, and it can be equipped with a .50 machine gun in the remote controlled weapon station. Its STANAG 4569 protection was level 1, and it could be upgraded to level 3 by adding armor kit. This vehicle had integrated the missile launcher, the radar, the sensors and the C2 command system, making it able to operate independently as an air defence system.
IRIS-T SLS Mk. IV At ILA 2026, Diehl presented a Mercedes Zetros mounted IRIS-T SLS launcher equipped with its own radar. The system is capable of launching 8 missiles.The radar is a Saab Giraffe 1X. The system is equipped with 15 Diehl Cicada self-defence drones. It is capable of firing on the move.
IRIS-T SLS fire unit In February 2025, it was revealed that a Ukrainian IRIS-T SLS air defence system consisted of two Italian Iveco 4×4 trucks that integrated with SLS missile launcher. The system is also integrated with the TRML-4D radar, which guides the missiles to the target.
IRIS-T SLM IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Missile) is the air defence system which uses the IRIS-T SL missile. As a part of the NATO MEADS program, the German Air Force and others are now using this missile. It has a pointed nose, unlike the regular IRIS-T, with a jettisonable drag-reducing nose cone. The missile uses a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, with radio data link for command guidance during the initial approach. The interference-resistant IR seeker head is activated at the terminal stage.
Compared to the IRIS-T, the diameter of the rocket motor was increased by 25 mm, to 152 mm. Test launches from a fire unit consisting of a CEA CEAFAR radar, a Diehl IRIS-T SL launcher and an Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system were performed in 2014. The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed in January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa. A further fire test on the developed system of the IRIS-T SLM was completed in January 2022.
An IRIS-T SLM air defence system consists of a tactical operation center, a logistic support unit, several radar units, and 3 or 4 missile trucks. The IRIS-T SLM can be integrated with a variety of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) guidance systems and AESA radars, such as Hensoldt TRML-4D, Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C, CEA CEAFAR, and Saab Giraffe 4A. A version with a Lockheed-Martin Skykeeper command and control station, Giraffe 4A radar and Diehl IRIS-T SLM launcher was shown at IDEX 2019 under the name Falcon Ground Based Air Defence.
Egypt ordered Diehl IRIS-T SLM launchers, Hensoldt TRML-4D radars, and fire and control stations equipped with Airbus Defence Fortion IBMS integrated battle management software, all mounted on MAN 8×8 military trucks; the deal was approved by the German government in December 2021. Further orders includes Hensoldt passive radars, IRIS-T SLS launchers and IRIS-T SLX long-range missiles. Passive radars can detect enemy aircraft by analysing reflections from external radio and television signals, making them effective in urban areas where active radars struggle.
The German Air Force has received its first IRIS-T SLM system in 2024 and is to receive five more by 2027. Also, mixed SLS/SLM systems are being planned.
Variants in development
IRIS-T SLX IRIS-T SLX is an upgraded variant of IRIS-T surface-to-air missile which has the operational range of 80 km and ceiling of 30 km. It will also use a combined radar and infrared seeker and remote guidance for initial approach. On the ILA 2024, Diehl Defence displayed a missile model of the developing IRIS-T SLX, which looked quite different to both IRIS-T AAM and IRIS-T SL with a wider rocket motor but shorter overall length and smaller fins. This new missile can be integrated into the IRIS-T SLM launchers, which can be loaded with a mix of SL and SLX missiles as the result. Only 50 to 60 soldiers are needed for each system. The Diehl Defence chief programme officer Harald Buschek said this variant was capable of countering standoff weapons, and it was likely to be ready for operation within around 4 years. It also would retain the ability to engage cruise missiles and helicopters.
Naval surface-to-air missile Diehl mentioned that the IRIS-T SLM missile was being integrated to the Mark 41 vertical launching system.
The German procurement agency BAAINBw signed a contract with Diehl for a feasibility study to integrate the IRIS-T SLM to the (F125) in December 2024. This contract includes a risk analysis, and the production of a system demonstrator. During the Maritime Firing Exercise 2025 (MFE 2025) the navalised system demonstrator of the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defence system was successfully tested aboard the German frigate Baden-Württemberg.
In November 2025, Lockheed Martin and Diehl signed a contract to integrate the IRIS-T SLM to the Mk41 VLS, and to the AEGIS combat system (CMS 330).
In June 2026, it was announced by Diehl that two dedicated launchers with 16 missiles each would be installed on the four frigates of the (Type F125). Diehl explained that deflector plates would be installed on the ship's deck to protect it from heat damage from hot launches. And the launch canisters will be in a permanent vertical position in the launcher.
The budget for the integration of the IRIS-T SLM was approved in September 2026, and a contract for the development of the prototype and a testing phase was signed in October 2026.
Integration of alternative radars In October 2025, Hanwha and Diehl signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate the Hanwha Multi-Function Radar family of radars with the intent to explore new markets.
Operators
Current operators
(23 fire units ordered in total) Using the Airbus Fortion IBMS-FC, a Hensoldt TRML-4D radar installed on a MAN HX2. 7 IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defence systems ordered in 2018. with a further order of 400 SLM missiles 10 IRIS-T SLX systems was approved in December 2021 6 IRIS-T SLS systems (1 SLM fire unit delivered, 2 on order) In May 2023, the Latvian and Estonian governments announced their decision to jointly procure the IRIS-T SLM systems, with deliveries expected in 2025. 3 IRIS-T SLM systems were ordered. The first system arrived in June 2026. (2 fire units) IRIS-T SLS known as Luftvärnsrobotsystem 98 or lvrbs 98. It was ordered in 2013, first system used for trial was delivered in 2016. The system is made of: BvS 10 vehicle with a command post. BvS 10 the trailer of the vehicle on which four IRIS-T SLS missiles are installed. 450 IRIS-T missiles, designated IRIS-T SLS variant used in ground-based air defence systems. (7 in service, 11 more on order) Germany provided military aid packages to Ukraine facing the Russian invasion. 12 IRIS-T SLM systems, among which, 6 delivered (1 in October 2022, 1 in April 2023, 1 in October 2023, 1 in May 2024, 1 in December 2024), and additional IRIS-T SLM missiles are being supplied by Germany. 12 IRIS-T SLS systems, with three delivered. One IRIS-T SLS system likely consists of two launchers. The IRIS-T SLM batteries are all equipped with the fire control system Airbus Fortion IBMS-FC and the radar TRML-4D from Hensoldt. Those systems use the MAN HX2 platform. In comparison, each Ukrainian IRIS-T SLS system consists of 2 missile launchers. These launchers are integrated with Iveco 4×4 trucks. They need the Hensoldt TRML-4D mobile radar to guide the missiles. In May 2025, Germany placed an order for 6 IRIS-T SLS/SLM fire units, worth €2.2 billion. The framework agreement enables to provide up to 10 fire units, and 500 missiles, but depending on the Ukrainian needs, the munitions or the fire units might be prioritized. Norway announced in July 2024 that $92 million will be allocated for an IRIS-T SLM battery to be delivered to Ukraine. (SLM: 2 fire units operational, 4 on order, 2 on option, 216 missiles ordered)https://www.hartpunkt.de/luftwaffe-erhaelt-erste-feuereinheit-iris-t-slm-in-nationaler-konfiguration/ IRIS-T SLM The German Air Force operates 1 IRIS-T SLM fire unit. The system gained its initial operational capability in September 2024 after having been handed over to the German procurement agency in August 2024.