Germany's Diehl Defence Unveils IRIS-T SLS Mk4 Short-Range Air Defence System with Dedicated Counter-UAS Interceptor
Diehl Defence has officially unveiled the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 short-range air defence system ahead of ILA Berlin Air Show 2026. The upgraded system doubles missile capacity to eight ready-to-fire rounds per launcher, extends engagement range to 12 km, and integrates the CICADA C-UAV eMissile — a low-cost interceptor purpose-built to defeat small drones — enhancing the system's ability to counter saturation attacks.
Highlights
- Diehl Defence unveiled the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 ahead of ILA Berlin Air Show 2026, featuring a maximum engagement range of 12 km and intercept altitude of 6 km.
- The Mk4 doubles missile capacity to 8 ready-to-fire rounds per launcher vehicle compared to the previous SLS generation.
- The system integrates the CICADA C-UAV eMissile, a purpose-built low-cost interceptor designed to defeat small drones at significantly lower cost than a standard IRIS-T missile.
- The Mk4 employs a vehicle-independent architecture, enabling integration onto various wheeled or tracked platforms to meet different customer requirements.
- IRIS-T SLS Mk4 is designed as the short-range layer in a broader multi-tier air defence network alongside the longer-range IRIS-T SLM and future IRIS-T SLX systems.
Diehl Defence Unveils IRIS-T SLS Mk4 with Doubled Missile Capacity and New Counter-UAS Capability
German defence company Diehl Defence has officially unveiled the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 short-range air defence system ahead of the ILA Berlin Air Show 2026, introducing significantly increased missile capacity, expanded engagement range, and a dedicated counter-UAS capability.
Extended Range and Increased Firepower
According to Diehl Defence, the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 can engage targets at a maximum range of 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) and a maximum altitude of 6 kilometres (3.7 miles), representing a substantial expansion of the protected airspace compared to earlier SLS-series variants.
One of the most significant upgrades is the new launcher configuration, which carries eight ready-to-fire missiles per vehicle — doubling the missile capacity of the previous generation. This enables a single vehicle to conduct more engagement cycles before requiring resupply.
Dedicated Counter-UAS Interceptor: The CICADA C-UAV eMissile
The Mk4 is designed to engage a broad spectrum of aerial threats, including drones, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions, reflecting the growing market demand for air defence systems capable of handling saturation attacks and large numbers of unmanned targets.
A key addition is support for multiple interceptor types beyond the standard IRIS-T missile. Diehl Defence states that the Mk4 can integrate the company's CICADA C-UAV eMissile — a dedicated interceptor designed specifically to defeat small drones at a significantly lower cost per shot than a full IRIS-T missile.
This design gives operators the flexibility to employ high-performance interceptors against advanced threats while using lower-cost rounds against commercial and tactical UAVs, substantially reducing the economic burden of counter-UAS operations.
Vehicle-Independent Architecture and Layered Air Defence Integration
Diehl Defence notes that the Mk4 adopts a vehicle-independent architecture, allowing integration onto a range of wheeled or tracked platforms to suit customer requirements. This approach is intended to simplify integration with existing military fleets and reduce logistical overhead for export customers.
The company also positions the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 as a core component of a broader layered air defence architecture, designed to operate alongside longer-range systems such as the IRIS-T SLM and the future IRIS-T SLX, providing the short-range defensive layer within a multi-tier air defence network.
Image credit: Diehl Defence
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