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Estonia Receives First IRIS-T SLM Air Defense System Under €400 Million ... Share: ÄMARI AIR BASE, Estonia, June 23, 2026 — Estonia has received its first IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system at Ämari Air Base, marking the largest defense investment in the country's history and significantly expanding its air defense capabilities . The German-made IRIS-T SLM was procured through the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) under a joint acquisition program with Latvia. The system fills a key capability gap between Estonia's existing short-range air defense assets , including Mistral and Piorun MANPADS , and longer-range air defense systems. Manufactured by Diehl Defence , the IRIS-T SLM has gained attention for its performance in Ukraine , where it has been used to intercept cruise missiles, attack drones, and aerial bombs . The system uses an imaging infrared seeker that improves target discrimination and effectiveness against low-signature threats . The IRIS-T SLM can engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones at ranges of up to 40 kilometers and altitudes of up to 20 kilometers . Each firing unit includes multiple mobile launchers, a radar unit, a tac…

Estonia receives first medium-range air defense system Europe Estonia receives first medium-range air defense system June 22, 2026 10:48 pm • 2 min read Prefer on Google by Lucy Pakhnyuk NATO, Estonian, and EU flags fly over the Narva crossing at the Estonian-Russian border in Narva on December 15, 2024. (Marko Mumm / AFP via Getty Images) Estonia has received its first medium-range air defense missile system, strengthening the country's ability to defend against potential aerial threats, the Estonian Defense Forces announced June 22. The IRIS-T SLM system arrived at Amari Air Base on June 22 and will allow Estonia to engage aerial threats at greater distances and higher altitudes than its existing short-range air defense systems, according to a statement from the Estonian Defense Forces. The system was purchased by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments from German defense manufacturer Diehl Defence. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said the new capability represents a major upgrade for Estonia's air defenses, citing the war in Ukraine as an example of the importance of robust air defense systems. "The war in Ukraine has clearly shown that strong air defense is a central part o…

Estonia receives its first IRIS-T medium-range air defence system Share Tweet LinkedIn Email Estonia has received its first IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence missile system, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to strengthen its air defence amid heightened security concerns in the region. The Estonian Air Defence Wing took delivery of the first mobile IRIS-T SLM system at Ämari Air Base on 22 June. The system, procured by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments from the German defence company Diehl Defence, will give the Estonian Defence Forces the ability to engage aerial threats at greater distances and altitudes than its existing short-range systems. Brigadier General Riivo Valge, commander of the Estonian Air Force, described the arrival as an important moment for both the Defence Forces and the Air Force. “We are only beginning our journey in building up our air defence, and although it may take us months to give our operators the necessary training and bring this system to the field, we are still about to have a significant qualitative leap in air defence capabilities,” Valge said. An IRIS-T SLM vehicle is unloaded after arriving in Estonia. Photo by Mari…

Medium-Range Air Defence Missile Systems IRIS-T SLM Arrive in the ... Estonian Defence Forces News Medium-Range Air Defence Missile Systems IRIS-T SLM Arrive in the Estonian Air Force Medium-Range Air Defence Missile Systems IRIS-T SLM Arrive in the Estonian Air Force 22. June 2026, 15:25 Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Email On Monday, June 22, the Estonian Air Defence Wing received the first mobile air defence missile systems IRIS-T SLM (InfraRed Imaging System Tail/Thrust vector-controlled Surface-Launched Medium range) at Ämari Air Base, giving the Estonian Defence Forces the ability to engage air threats from greater distances and altitudes than the existing short-range systems. The system was procured by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) from the German defence company Diehl Defence. “This is an important day for the Estonian Defence Forces and for the Estonian Air Force. We are only beginning our journey in building up our air defence, and although it may take us months to give our operators the necessary training and bring this system to the field, we are still about to have a significant qualitative leap in air defence capabilities” said Comma…

Estonia receives first medium-range air defense system The newly acquired IRIS-T SLM system will allow Estonia to engage aerial threats at greater distances and higher altitudes than its existing short-range air defense systems, according to the Estonian Defense Forces.