Sweden orders more IRIS-T SLS air defense systems

Sweden is moving ahead with another major investment in its ground-based air defense network, announcing new spending totaling 3.5 billion SEK ($365 million) as part of a renewed push to strengthen protection against drones, helicopters, missiles, and fast-moving aircraft.

The announcement was made on November 25 at the Air Defence Regiment in Halmstad (Lv 6), where Defense Minister Pål Jonson appeared alongside senior leaders from the Swedish Armed Forces and the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV).

“Sweden’s defense must be strengthened against threats such as missiles, drones and helicopters. The best way to guarantee peace and freedom is investments in defense. The orders also contribute to growth, jobs and security of supply. This also improves the possibilities to increase production capacity in the defense industry,” said the report.

According to FMV, the agency has now signed a 2-billion-SEK ($210 million) contract to purchase new short-range IRIS-T SLS launchers, expanding Sweden’s inventory of ground-launched air defense weapons.

FMV will also procure 1.5 billion SEK worth of vehicles and systems that will carry and integrate the new air-defense equipment into the brigade structure.

The new package includes:

• 16 missile-launch systems
• 8 Giraffe 1X short-range radar systems (G1x)
• Platoon-level command vehicles
• Company-level command vehicles
• Air-defense command posts
• Modification and integration work for existing tracked IRIS-T SLS units
• Spare parts
• Training packages

Sweden’s Armed Forces stated that the equipment will be assigned to the Norrbotten Regiment (I 19) and the Skaraborg Regiment (P 4), forming four short-range air-defense platoons as required under the 2024 Swedish defense decision. These units will provide enhanced protection for maneuver brigades operating in northern and central Sweden.

FMV noted that the new acquisition is part of a broader sequence of air-defense upgrades carried out this year. Sweden recently purchased CAMM missiles, new counter-drone systems, improvements to Gripen fighter capability, and additional IRIS-T SLM medium-range systems, resulting in more than 20 billion SEK ($2.1billion) in air-defense spending over the past six months.

According to the ministry, the goal is to establish a layered air-defense structure that can counter threats at low, medium, and extended ranges — a capability Sweden is accelerating as it adjusts plans for full NATO integration.