Bulgaria Procures IRIS-T SLM Air Defense System

Bulgaria has officially procured the IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defense system from German manufacturer Diehl Defence.

This marks Bulgaria's inclusion in the list of 20 countries utilizing IRIS-T systems, with nine nations currently employing or committed to acquiring the air defense solution.

The purchase was formalized on October 7, 2024, through a contract signing at the BAAINBw facility in Koblenz. Diehl Defence's CEO Helmut Rauch, along with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov, and German Ambassador to Bulgaria Irene Maria Plank, discussed the ongoing cooperation under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). This initiative aims to enhance comprehensive air defense for Europe and NATO. Bulgaria’s acquisition is part of this broader effort, with options to buy additional units in the future.

The Bulgarian Parliament approved the purchase of one IRIS-T SLM battery in August 2024, with funding secured through a combination of national resources and compensation received for Bulgaria's 2024 military assistance to Ukraine. The total cost of the acquisition is estimated at $199 million, with the option to purchase five more batteries by 2032. Bulgaria also plans to acquire the longer-range IRIS-T SLX system.

The IRIS-T SLM system, designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles, has proven effective in recent conflicts. The IRIS-T SLM can engage air targets at a distance of up to 40 km, and the shorter SLS version – up to 12 km.