German company Diehl Defence has unveiled a universal launcher for its future Iris-T SLX missiles. The new system is claimed to have a range of 100 km, though the missiles can intercept targets only at 80 km.
These specifications were presented at the Enforce Tac 2026 exhibition, according to ArmyRecognition reports. While the concept itself is not new, details regarding application within the existing architecture were revealed. Some sources also indicate the project will be completed in 2029-2030.
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The launcher will be able to use both new Iris-T SLX missiles as well as older Iris-T SLM missiles already actively employed in Ukraine. The maximum ammunition load of eight missiles of any type is maintained.
This will enable unification and protection at different levels within a single system. According to stated specifications, Iris-T SLX will have a maximum interception range of 80 km at an altitude of 30 km, while the currently available Iris-T SLM provides 40 km and 20 km respectively.
Defense Express notes that given the mentioned parameters, it appears odd to indicate the system's overall maximum range as 100 km when the missile does not even reach that distance. This is not a journalist's exaggeration, as these figures are genuinely indicated on the presentation stand.
An interesting marketing trick emerges here, as this refers to the distance from the command post to the target. The launcher can be located up to 20 km from the command post, yielding 80 km for the missile plus another 20 km from the command post.
Actually, 100 km specifically for missiles would require increased length, making use of the same universal launcher impossible. This may be a development we will see in the future.
Recall that Iris-T SLX has been under development for several years, with specifications detailed as early as 2024. The launcher display indicates the project is approaching readiness, though there has been no news about testing or even initial firings.
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