IRIS-T
German short-to-medium range air defence missile; multiple IRIS-T SLM systems included in Germany's €4bn Ukraine deal.
Last refreshed: 16 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Is IRIS-T now more important to Ukraine's air defence than Patriot?
Timeline for IRIS-T
Included as 36 launchers in the defence package
Russia-Ukraine War 2026: Germany signs €4bn for Ukraine, routes Raytheon directly- How effective is IRIS-T against Russian drones and missiles?
- IRIS-T SLM has intercepted Russian Cruise Missiles and Shahed drones effectively since deployment in October 2022. Its layered use with Patriot batteries has been a model for Ukrainian city defence.
- What is the difference between IRIS-T and Patriot air defence?
- IRIS-T SLM covers a 40km range envelope and is faster to deploy and cheaper. Patriot covers longer ranges and can intercept Ballistic Missiles with PAC-3 MSE Rounds. Ukraine uses both in layered configurations.
- How many IRIS-T systems has Germany sent to Ukraine?
- Germany has supplied multiple IRIS-T SLM systems since the first delivery in October 2022. The April 2026 €4bn deal adds further systems alongside GEM-T Patriot interceptors.Source: Lowdown
Background
IRIS-T (Infrared Imaging System Tail) is a German air defence missile system produced by Diehl Defence. The IRIS-T SLM (Surface-Launched Medium range) variant has been one of the most effective Western air defence systems deployed in Ukraine, capable of intercepting aircraft, Cruise Missiles, and low-flying Ballistic Missiles at ranges up to 40 kilometres and altitudes up to 20 kilometres. The April 2026 €4bn Germany-Ukraine deal includes additional IRIS-T SLM systems alongside GEM-T Patriot interceptors, continuing a supply line Germany has maintained since 2022.
Germany delivered the first IRIS-T SLM to Ukraine in October 2022, making it one of the earliest advanced Western air defence transfers. The system has been operationally effective against Russian Cruise Missiles and Iranian-supplied Shahed drones, and its performance shaped subsequent decisions by Germany, Sweden, and Italy to accelerate production and export. Diehl Defence expanded production capacity in response to demand but backlogs remain; the April 2026 deal draws from existing and near-term production commitments.
The IRIS-T SLM is shorter-range than the Patriot but faster to deploy and cheaper to operate, making it well-suited to defending medium-sized cities and industrial infrastructure. Ukraine typically deploys it in layered configurations with Patriot batteries covering the longer-range envelope.
