Denmark buys more IRIS-T SLM fire units, continuing air defence ramp-up

As part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), Denmark has procured additional fire units for the IRIS-T SLM medium-range ground-based air defence system, manufacturer Diehl Defence announced on 9 December 2025.

The contract was actually signed in Coblenz, Germany, on 4 December.

In July 2025 the Danish Ministry of Defence opted for the combat-proven IRIS-T SLM system from Diehl Defence in its procurement process for an interim air defence solution. The current contract, meanwhile, is part of Denmark’s ‘Surface Based Air and Missile Defense (SBAMD) Permanent Solution’.

Using the ESSI standard contract enabled an accelerated and unbureaucratic procurement process. The constant expansion of ESSI user countries and their joint procurement are meanwhile creating synergies that will be valuable in future multinational operations.

The IRIS-T SLM system is designed to counter threats posed by enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and drones at ranges of up to 40 km and at altitudes up to 20 km. An IRIS-T SLM fire unit consists of a missile launcher, radar and tactical operations centre. The system is characterised by its 360° coverage, high tactical mobility, deployability of the missile launchers and ability to conduct multiple target engagements with a low personnel requirement.

“According to the customer, the system achieves a very high hit rate, even during waves of attack with more than 15 targets,” Diehl asserted.

Denmark’s purchase of additional IRIS-T SLM fire units from Diehl Defence is part of a considerable air defence ramp-up being conducted by the Danish armed forces in light of Russian belligerence in Europe.

In June 2025, as well as announcing the initial IRIS-T SLM procurement, the Danish Ministry of Defence (MoD) also said it would lease a short/medium-range National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from Norway and purchase short-range VL MICA systems from MBDA.

Then, in September 2025, the Danish MoD announced it would acquire the SAMP/T medium-range air defence system produced by Eurosam: a joint venture between MBDA and Thales.

On 27 November 2025 Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace announced that the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) had contracted the company for an outright NASAMS purchase.