In a significant development for European air defense, Germany has received the first IRIS-T SLM air defense system for its own forces. The delivery comes after prioritizing the production of this weapon for Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion in 2022. The inauguration ceremony for the equipment took place at a military base in Todendorf, northern Germany, where Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed it as a new chapter of European air defense.

Chancellor Scholz emphasized the importance of maintaining security and peace in Europe, highlighting the deployment of American intermediate-range missiles to Germany as a necessary step towards bolstering defense capabilities. The IRIS-T SLM system, which marked the first of six to be delivered to the Bundeswehr, aims to fill the existing gap in Germany's air defense capabilities, and ultimately contribute to the strengthening of European air defense across the continent.

The success of the IRIS-T system in Ukraine was highlighted by Chancellor Scholz, who commended its effectiveness in countering the numerous missile attacks from Russia. With over 250 projectiles shot down and an impressive hit rate of 95%, he expressed hope that the IRIS-T SLM would become the backbone of European air defense beyond Germany's borders.

Originally developed as an air-to-air missile, the IRIS-T was modified to become an air defense system with the Surface Launch Standard (SLS) variant and the significantly altered Surface Launched Missile (SLM) version. Ukraine has already received four IRIS-T SLM and three IRIS-T SLS systems, with an additional 17 IRIS-T systems yet to come.

The need to strengthen European air defenses was deemed "long overdue" by Chancellor Scholz, in light of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. To address this, the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative was launched, aiming to coordinate the procurement and operation of air defense systems among 22 participating countries, including non-NATO members such as Switzerland and Austria, as well as non-European Union member Turkey.

As part of the response to these security challenges, Germany will deploy American intermediate-range missiles starting in 2026, as announced during the recent NATO summit in Washington. This decision was enforced by Russia's deployment of rockets to Kaliningrad, a mere 530 kilometers from Berlin. Chancellor Scholz underscored the importance of an adequate response, stating that every attack on Germany should pose a risk for the attacker.

The deployment decision aligns with Germany's national security strategy, which has been in place since last year, and is intended as a gesture of deterrence. It comes at a crucial time, as the recent electoral victories of Kremlin-friendly opposition parties in Thuringia and Saxony have raised concerns about potential opposition to the missile plans. Nonetheless, Germany remains committed to strengthening its defense capabilities and ensuring the security of Europe.

With the delivery of the IRIS-T SLM air defense system, Germany takes a significant step forward in enhancing its own military capabilities and contributing to a stronger European air defense network. The cooperation among various nations and the deployment of advanced weaponry illustrate a united effort to safeguard peace and security in Europe.