Germany’s armed forces have officially received their first IRIS-T SLM air defense system, having previously prioritized its production for Ukraine following the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022. During the inauguration ceremony held at a military base in Todendorf, northern Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked, “A new chapter of European air defense is unfolding.” He emphasized the significance of this development for maintaining security and peace across Europe, while also defending the decision made earlier in the summer to station American intermediate-range missiles in Germany.

The system unveiled on Wednesday represents the first of six IRIS-T SLM units that will be supplied to the Bundeswehr. This initiative is part of the German government’s broader strategy to address a long-standing deficiency in the air defense capabilities of both the national military and the European continent as a whole.

Chancellor Scholz noted the effectiveness of the IRIS-T system in Ukraine, where it has acted as a formidable defense against the numerous missiles launched by Russia, successfully intercepting over 250 projectiles of various types. He asserted a remarkable hit rate of 95% and expressed optimism that this system would serve as a foundational element of European air defense beyond Germany’s borders.

Initially designed as an air-to-air missile, the IRIS-T has been adapted for air defense through the Surface Launch Standard (SLS) variant and the significantly modified Surface Launched Missile (SLM) version. To date, Ukraine has received four IRIS-T SLM systems and three IRIS-T SLS units, with an additional 17 systems expected, four of which are scheduled for delivery in 2024.

Chancellor Scholz remarked that enhancing European air defenses was “long overdue,” particularly in light of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has reignited focus on military readiness under the concept of “Zeitenwende,” marking the beginning of a new era. A key initiative emerging from this new era is the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative, aimed at coordinating the procurement and operation of air defense systems.