Technology: German IRIS-T SLM air defense system proves effective against Russian ballistic missiles in Ukraine.

According to information published by European Pravda on July 28, 2025, Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev confirmed that Ukrainian air defence forces have successfully intercepted Russian short-range ballistic missiles using the German-made IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system in several documented cases. This marks the first public confirmation of the German-made system engaging ballistic missile threats in live combat, reinforcing its multi-role effectiveness under high-intensity battlefield conditions.
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German-made IRIS-T SLM air defense missile launcher of Ukraine's 11th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade on duty. (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

Since February 2022, Germany has delivered seven IRIS-T SLM air defence missile systems to Ukraine as part of its military assistance program to bolster the country’s layered air defence against sustained Russian missile and aerial attacks. These systems have been deployed to shield strategic assets, urban centers, and energy infrastructure from a variety of aerial threats including cruise missiles, drones, and now, confirmed ballistic missile strikes.

Ballistic missiles differ fundamentally from other aerial threats such as cruise missiles, aircraft, or drones. They follow a high-arching, suborbital trajectory after being launched from the ground or air and re-enter the atmosphere at very high speeds, often exceeding several kilometers per second. This makes them extremely difficult to intercept, as their velocity, altitude, and brief flight windows allow for minimal response time. Additionally, their unpredictable terminal path and potential use of decoys or maneuverable reentry vehicles complicate interception. Unlike cruise missiles that fly at lower altitudes and are more predictable, ballistic missiles require advanced radar tracking, high-speed computing, and interceptors capable of rapid vertical launch and extreme maneuverability.

The IRIS-T SLM, developed by German company Diehl Defence, is a highly advanced medium-range air defence system designed to counter a wide spectrum of threats including fighter jets, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, guided rockets, and short-range ballistic missiles. Each system includes a vertical launcher, the TRML-4D active electronically scanned array radar developed by Hensoldt, and a command-and-control center capable of integrating into broader NATO-standard air defence networks. The IRIS-T missiles themselves feature infrared homing guidance and thrust vector control, providing exceptional agility and high hit-to-kill probability.

The system offers engagement ranges up to 40 kilometers and altitudes of approximately 20 kilometers. Its rapid reaction time, 360-degree coverage, and simultaneous multi-target engagement make it particularly effective against saturation attacks and high-speed targets. Ukrainian military reports have previously highlighted the system’s success in intercepting cruise missiles and drones with near-perfect effectiveness. In one confirmed case, an IRIS-T SLM battery neutralized eight cruise missiles with eight interceptors in under thirty seconds.

The confirmation of successful intercepts against Russian ballistic missiles significantly enhances the strategic relevance of the IRIS-T SLM system. While Diehl Defence had declared the system technically capable of engaging short-range tactical ballistic missiles, real-world combat validation now supports that claim. This milestone places the IRIS-T SLM in a select category of medium-range systems that can address not only conventional air threats but also ballistic missile challenges—capabilities typically associated with more complex and expensive platforms such as the US Patriot PAC-3 or Israel’s David’s Sling.

Ukraine’s ability to neutralize ballistic missile threats using the IRIS-T SLM represents a breakthrough in European air defence performance. As Western partners consider the evolving threat landscape, the system’s proven effectiveness against one of the most challenging aerial threats is likely to influence future procurement decisions and support broader adoption within NATO frameworks.

By demonstrating its ability to counter high-speed ballistic missile threats, the German-made IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system has elevated its operational status and shown that European defence technology can provide robust, battlefield-tested solutions to some of the most difficult challenges in modern warfare.