At the end of 2021, Diehl Defence demonstrated the operational efficiency of the IRIS-T SLM Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) system under realistic operating conditions during several successful test firings, the company writes in a press release. The firings served as evidence for the technical and operational capability of the overall system.
IRIS-T SLM complements the IRIS-T SLS short-to-medium range air defence system and has been in operation with Scandinavian customers for several years. Compared to the capabilities of the IRIS-T systems already in service, IRIS-T SLM system provides a longer range, which was demonstrated by the latest test firing along with hit accuracy and interaction of all system components and the ground infrastructure, according to Diehl Defence.
As the prime contractor, Diehl Defence can offer the complete IRIS-T SLM air defence system including fire-control sensor, radar and missile.
JH
![Following the decommissioning of the Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS) in 2011, the Canadian Army spent 13 years without any GBAD assets until receiving its first RBS 70 NG systems in 2024. While Canada is an extreme example, Ottawa was not alone in a trend that saw many downsize and even eliminate GBAD. [Canadian Army]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Canadian-RBS-70-NG-Kopie-218x150.jpg "Assessing air defence requirements for ground formations on the modern battlefield")
![IRIS-T SLM key system components viewed from above, consisting of the command post (left), transporter, erector, launcher (TEL; middle), and radar (right). This system forms the MRAD component of ESSI. [Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IRIS-T-SLM-system-components_Diehl-Defence-Kopie-218x150.jpg "Desolate skies: Why GBAD matters")
