The new system is built around a platform-independent design, allowing customers to integrate it onto different vehicle types according to their operational requirements.
According to the company, the fourth-generation IRIS-T SLS has an engagement range of up to 12 kilometers and can intercept targets at altitudes of up to 6 kilometers.
One of the system’s key features is the integration of radar, command-and-control systems and the missile launcher onto a single vehicle. The compact configuration is intended to improve mobility and enable rapid redeployment between positions.
Diehl said the system’s high level of automation reduces crew requirements while significantly shortening reaction times against incoming threats.
The IRIS-T SLS MK4 uses the combat-proven IRIS-T air-to-air missile as its interceptor. While the missile itself remains unchanged, the company said future upgrades could enable the system to engage targets while the vehicle is moving.
The system complies with NATO standards and modern operational requirements, according to the manufacturer. Diehl also said it has doubled the platform’s payload capacity compared with previous versions, increasing overall combat effectiveness.
The modular architecture allows additional capabilities to be integrated, including the CICADA counter-drone system and remotely operated weapon stations, expanding the system’s role in layered air defense networks.
The unveiling comes amid growing demand for modern ground-based air defense systems across Europe and other regions, driven by evolving aerial threats and increasing defense spending.
Diehl’s IRIS-T family has gained international attention following its operational deployment in Ukraine, where various versions of the system have been used to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks.
The company said the new IRIS-T SLS MK4 is intended to become a key component of future NATO and partner-country air defense architectures, combining mobility, automation and modularity in a single platform.