IRIS-T SL vs. NASAMS
Air Defense Systems Comparison
The NASAMS and the IRIS-T SL are both modern ground‐based air defence solutions used by NATO and partner nations, but differ in terms of architecture, primary interceptor missiles and sensors and operational concepts.
IRIS-T SL: Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled – Surface Launched.
Developed by the German company Diehl Defence, evolved from the IRIS-T air-to-air missile—a highly agile, short-range interceptor originally developed to replace older AIM-9 Sidewinders. Its ground-based variants are based on the same missile technology, and commonly designated as SLS for the short-range configuration and SLM for the medium-range version.
SLS variant is optimized for very short-range defense (approximately 12 km range, lower altitude coverage), while the SLM variant achieves medium-range performance with ranges up to about 40 km and ceilings around 20 km. Diehl Defence is developing its systems to face emerging threat scenarios, and its range is to be increased to 80 km with the IRIS-T SLX system.
Although the IRIS-T SL is a relatively new system, it has been acquired by several countries, including Ukraine.
… it has served as a bulwark against the countless missiles that Russia shoots at Ukraine every day, having shot down over 250 projectiles of various sorts… a hit rate of 95%.
—Chancellor Olaf Scholz, September 2024
Also see IRIS-T SL for an extensive list of user countries.
IRIS-T SLM unit with tactical operations centre and 3D radar. Image: Diehl Defence
NASAMS: Norwegian (or National) Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.
Developed jointly by Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and is a network‐centric, modular, and distributed medium‐range air defence system. Featuring multiple dispersed launchers, radars, and a central Fire Distribution Center (FDC) that links sensors and shooters over wide areas, coordinates engagement management, target allocation, and integrates data via multiple datalinks.
NASAMS Components. Central FDC can also integrate with coastal defence missiles. Graphic courtesy of Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace
As of 2024, NASAMS is deployed by 13+ countries, amongst others Norway, the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, and Ukraine.
For more on these systems visit norskluftvern.com via these links: