BERLIN — June 09, 2026: German defense company Diehl Defence has unveiled the IRIS-T SLS MK 4, the latest generation of its short-range land-based air defence (SHORAD) system, ahead of the ILA Berlin Air Show 2026. The new variant introduces an expanded engagement envelope, increased missile capacity, and a fully integrated single-vehicle architecture designed to improve battlefield mobility and survivability.
The IRIS-T SLS MK 4 is the newest member of the IRIS-T ground-based air defence family, which also includes the IRIS-T SLM medium-range system and the future IRIS-T SLX long-range platform.
Extended Range and Increased Firepower
According to Diehl Defence, the IRIS-T SLS MK 4 can engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 12 kilometers and altitudes of up to 6 kilometers.
A major upgrade is its increased missile load. The system carries up to eight ready-to-fire IRIS-T interceptors on a single vehicle, significantly increasing its ability to counter multiple threats before reloading is required.
The higher missile capacity is intended to improve protection against drones, helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and saturation attacks.
Unlike the larger IRIS-T SLM, which is primarily designed for area defence, the SLS MK 4 is optimized to accompany maneuvering forces and provide close-range protection for troops on the move.
Integrated All-in-One Air Defence Vehicle
A key feature of the IRIS-T SLS MK 4 is its all-in-one design, combining all major air-defence functions on a single tactical vehicle.
The platform integrates:
- Surveillance radar
- Fire control and command system
- Eight-cell missile launcher
This allows a single vehicle to independently detect, track, classify, and engage aerial threats without requiring separate radar or command vehicles.
According to the company, the integrated architecture reduces deployment time, lowers logistical requirements, and enables rapid relocation after engagement, improving survivability against modern precision-guided weapons.
Combat-Proven IRIS-T Missile
The system uses the IRIS-T missile, originally developed for fighter aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and Panavia Tornado.
Equipped with an imaging infrared seeker and thrust-vector control technology, the missile offers high maneuverability against agile targets, including modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Diehl confirmed that the missile's hardware remains unchanged in the MK 4 configuration, ensuring compatibility with existing production and support infrastructure.
Future Fire-on-the-Move Capability
Diehl Defence is developing software upgrades that will enable a future fire-on-the-move capability.
The upgrade will allow the system to launch interceptor missiles while the vehicle is moving, eliminating the need to stop before engaging targets and increasing operational flexibility in dynamic combat environments.
Counter-Drone Capabilities
The IRIS-T SLS MK 4 is designed with an open architecture that supports additional effectors beyond the standard IRIS-T missile.
The system is compatible with CICADA eMissile, Diehl's dedicated counter-UAV interceptor, providing a lower-cost option for engaging small drones.
This allows operators to use IRIS-T missiles against higher-value threats while employing CICADA against commercial and tactical UAVs.
The vehicle can also be fitted with an optional remote weapon station for close-range defence.
Modular Design for International Customers
The IRIS-T SLS MK 4 features a vehicle-independent modular architecture, allowing the radar, command system, and launcher package to be integrated onto various wheeled or tracked chassis.
This approach enables military operators to adopt the system without introducing entirely new vehicle fleets, reducing maintenance and logistical burdens.
Part of a Layered Air Defence Network
Diehl Defence positions the IRIS-T SLS MK 4 as the short-range layer of a broader multi-layered air defence network.
The system is designed to operate alongside the IRIS-T SLM and future IRIS-T SLX, creating overlapping protection against a wide range of aerial threats.
With its 12-kilometer engagement range, eight-missile payload, integrated single-vehicle design, and counter-drone capabilities, the IRIS-T SLS MK 4 represents the latest evolution of Diehl Defence's mobile air-defence portfolio for modern battlefield operations.
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