Singapore Airshow: Spotlight on Air Defence and Guided Missiles

Diehl Defence, a leading system house for ground-based air defence (GBAD) solutions, is exhibiting at Singapore Airshow 2024 next week with spotlight on several GBAD and guided missile products. The company’s stand features models of systems for short and medium range GBAD, named IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM, for altitudes of up to 20 km and distances of up to 40 km.

GBAD systems have seen dramatically increased demand, particularly in Europe but also elsewhere, since several conflicts have erupted or escalated over the last two years. Diehl Defence has delivered fire units of IRIS-T SLM to several customers worldwide since 2022, with customer testimonials confirming that the system regularly achieves hit rates of almost 100 per cent. Thus, IRIS-T SLM as one of the most modern ground-based air defence systems in this market segment is combat proven.

GBAD systems by Diehl Defence are based on the company’s expertise with guided missiles, most prominently the IRIS-T air-to-air short-range missile. At Singapore Airshow, Diehl Defence is exhibiting its IRIS-T guided missile, which is integrated in many Western fighter aircraft and in service in Asia on Thailand’s Gripen aircraft as well as on the country’s F-16s and F-5s. Currently, Diehl Defence is collaborating with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on the integration of IRIS-T on the KF-21 and FA-50/T50 platforms as part of their ongoing development program. A major milestone was passed in 2023 with the successful live firing of an IRIS-T missile from an airborne KF-21.

KF-21s are due to be delivered to the ROK air force, with Indonesia being another partner in the industrial program. The IRIS-T missile is the perfect match for the KF-21, making it the ideal fighter solution for air forces in South East Asia and around the world.