The Bulgarian state will buy 1 anti-aircraft missile complex “IRIS -T SLM“ from Germany. The value of the transaction is EUR 182,114,311 (BGN 356,184,366) excluding VAT.
In addition, the possibility of purchasing up to 5 pieces of “IRIS-T SLM“ and 1 piece of long range system “IRIS-T SLX“. This conveyed BGNES
Bulgaria needs modern air defense systems to meet modern challenges, especially against the backdrop of wars raging nearby – in Ukraine and the Middle East.
With the acquisition of new multi-channel air defense systems, our capabilities to deter and reflect enemy air and missile attacks will increase many times over. Bulgaria will also reduce its dependence on the import of spare parts for our outdated air defense from Russia.
Currently our most advanced air defense system is the Soviet S-300 from the era of the collapse of the Warsaw Pact in 1990-1991
These systems, although proven, are already quite old and their operation is very complex, especially amid the start of Russia's war in Ukraine in February 2022.
In connection with the new threats, Bulgaria joined the initiative “Shit in European skies”. In addition to us, it also includes Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Slovenia.
In this regard, in the period July 22-24, 2024, workshops were held at the Ministry of Defense with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German company “Diehl Defence” on the acquisition of ground-based air defense systems “IRIS-T” within the framework of the "Shield of the European Sky" initiative. In the course of the discussions and after receiving explanations from the German side, the Bulgarian side stated its intention to purchase 1 unit of “IRIS-T SLM”.
What is the German SAM?
The development of the medium-range system “IRIS-T SLM“ began in 2007. In 2014, it was tested and the complex began to be mass-produced.
The launch range of the missile “IRIS-T SLM“ is 40 km, altitude range is 20 km, it is claimed to be quite manoeuvrable.
“IRIS-T SLM“ uses modernized “IRIS-T“ air-to-air missiles. Their distinguishing feature is an infrared homing head, which allows the implementation of the “shoot and forget“ principle. The infrared head has high resolution and is not sensitive to the latest heat traps used by modern aviation to protect against air defenses.