European Pravda reported that Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, confirmed the successful interception of Russian short-range ballistic missiles by the German-made IRIS-T SLM air defense system. This marks the first public confirmation of the system’s engagement against ballistic threats in real combat, proving its versatility under high-intensity battlefield conditions.
Since February 2022, Germany has delivered seven IRIS-T SLM systems to Ukraine as part of a comprehensive aid package. These systems have been deployed to protect critical infrastructure, urban areas, and energy assets against a broad range of aerial threats including cruise missiles, UAVs, and now — officially — ballistic missiles.
Ballistic missiles are fundamentally different from drones, aircraft, or cruise missiles. After launch, they travel on a steep, suborbital trajectory, reentering the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds, often exceeding several kilometers per second. This makes them extremely hard to track and intercept due to short reaction times, high altitudes, and evasive technologies such as maneuverable warheads or decoys.
Developed by Germany’s Diehl Defence, the IRIS-T SLM is a cutting-edge medium-range air defense system designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, drones, guided rockets, and now short-range ballistic missiles. It consists of a vertical launcher, Hensoldt’s TRML-4D radar with AESA capability, and a command-and-control center compatible with NATO-standard defense networks.
The IRIS-T interceptor missile uses infrared homing and thrust vector control, allowing it to strike with high precision and agility. The system provides engagement capabilities up to 40 kilometers in range and 20 kilometers in altitude. Its fast response time, 360-degree coverage, and multi-target engagement features make it ideal for high-density threat environments.
Ukrainian military sources have previously highlighted the system’s exceptional performance against cruise missiles and UAVs. In one notable instance, a battery neutralized eight incoming cruise missiles with eight interceptors in less than thirty seconds.
With this confirmation of successful ballistic missile interceptions, the IRIS-T SLM has now demonstrated real-world effectiveness against one of the most complex aerial threats. While Diehl Defence had claimed the system was technically capable of engaging such targets, this marks the first operational validation. As a result, IRIS-T SLM joins a small class of medium-range systems — alongside the U.S. Patriot PAC-3 and Israel’s David’s Sling — that can effectively counter both traditional and ballistic threats.
Ukraine’s ability to neutralize high-speed ballistic missiles with a European-built system is a game-changer for Western air defense planning. It confirms that European technology can stand up to the most formidable challenges on the modern battlefield — with real-world performance to back it up.
