IRIS-T SLM for Germany: Air Force Achieves Initial Operating Capability

September 04, 2024

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With the completion of training for the first operators for the ground-based air defence system IRIS-T SLM, delivered by Diehl Defence, the German Air Force achieved the initial operating capability (IOC) for the system. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and the Chief of the German Air Force, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, acknowledged this milestone in the presence of Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch and a representative of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) during an official celebration at the Todendorf military training area in Schleswig-Holstein.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch, Volker Becker (BAAINBw), Chief of the German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz (from left)

It was only one year ago that the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag gave its consent to the procurement of a total of six fire units with financial means from the special fund of the Bundeswehr, and thus the go-ahead for the acquisition of IRIS-T SLM to the German Armed Forces. Already at the beginning of August 2024, Diehl Defence delivered the first fire unit IRIS-T SLM to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment as planned. With today's IOC declaration, the partners involved have reached another milestone on time.

The systems of the type IRIS-T SLM are used to protect critical infrastructure, objects and people on the ground through the engagement of aerial threats originating from aircraft, missiles and drones. The Diehl Defence systems will contribute significantly to the defence capability of the Federal Republic of Germany and other user nations.

Since summer 2023, Diehl Defence and the German Air Force have jointly been operating a training facility for IRIS-T SLM in Todendorf. Course participants of other user nations can be trained on the system on the premises as well. Air Chiefs from several countries of the ‘European Sky Shield Initiative’ (ESSI) also took part in today's event.

Helmut Rauch, who handed over a symbolic key for the IRIS-T SLM system to Volker Becker, the deputy of Annette Lehnigk-Emden (President of the BAAINBw), on the occasion of the IOC declaration, said: "I am proud that Diehl Defence as a system house for ground-based air defence contributed with its delivery reliability to the fact that the German Air Force could declare its IOC for our system IRIS-T SLM."

Source : Diehl Defence