German defense manufacturer Diehl Defence plans to increase production of its IRIS-T air defense systems to as many as 16 firing units per year within two years, according to CEO Helmut Rauch.
Diehl Defence Expands IRIS-T Production
Diehl Defence is currently capable of producing up to 10 firing units this year, with plans to scale up to 16 in approximately two years, Rauch said. Production could be increased further depending on customer demand.
The IRIS‑T SLM and SLS systems are advanced ground-based air-defense systems that have been deployed by Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure from Russian attacks. The IRIS‑T SLM has a range of around 40 kilometres (24.6 miles) and provides 360-degree coverage.
Diehl Defence has seen a tenfold increase in the output of IRIS-T SLM missiles since 2021. The company stated it can also increase missile production if additional orders are received, but declined to provide specific annual production figures.
Eight members of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) – Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Denmark, Slovenia, Sweden and Germany – have purchased the IRIS-T SLM. Ukraine and Egypt have also placed orders.
Germany has ordered a total of six IRIS-T firing units, with the first delivered in 2024 and four additional units expected this year. Estonia and Latvia are anticipated to receive their initial units this year.
Diehl Defence is also developing the IRIS-T SLX, a longer-range missile with a range of 80 kilometres. Germany has expressed interest in the missile, and Egypt has already ordered it. Series production of the IRIS-T SLX is expected to begin in 2029.
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