IRIS-T SLM emerges as Europe’s fastest-growing air defense system

The German-made IRIS-T SLM has become part of the backbone of European medium-range air defense, with at least eight nations ordering systems through the European Sky Shield Initiative framework since 2023. Diehl Defence has scaled production capacity by a factor of ten and invested approximately €1 billion to meet surging demand, with confirmed European contract values exceeding €3.6 billion. However, production still cannot match combined European and Ukrainian demand, creating multi-year delivery backlogs extending to 2030. Continue reading IRIS-T SLM emerges as Europe’s fastest-growing air defense system

Assessing the IRIS-T SL’s Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) Defense Capability: A Critical Review

The IRIS-T SL (especially in its SLM configuration) has likely succeeded in intercepting certain TBMs under favorable conditions, but its TBM defense remains a complimentary, not primary, function. Its actual operational value as a ballistic missile defense system must be viewed as a robust addition to layered defense—never a replacement for purpose-built long-range TBMD platforms. Continue reading Assessing the IRIS-T SL’s Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) Defense Capability: A Critical Review

Norway’s Air Defense Evolution: Bolstering NASAMS While Pursuing Ballistic Missile Defense

Norway’s air defense strategy is clear, funded, and decisive. By contracting for four additional NASAMS batteries, the government has reaffirmed the system as the foundation of its territorial defense. Simultaneously, by explicitly planning for a … Continue reading Norway’s Air Defense Evolution: Bolstering NASAMS While Pursuing Ballistic Missile Defense

The Future of SHORAD: AI, Drones, and Lasers in Modern Air Defense

The evolution of brigade-level air defense represents one of the most critical shifts in modern warfare, driven by the urgent need to counter new threats like drone swarms, loitering munitions, and low-observable cruise missiles. Moving far beyond the Cold War’s manual SHORAD (Short-Range Air Defense) tactics, the future lies in a … Continue reading The Future of SHORAD: AI, Drones, and Lasers in Modern Air Defense

The Coming Revolution in Air Defense: How Drones and Directed Energy Are Forcing a Rethink

In recent years, the world of air defense has undergone a seismic shift. While traditional air defense systems remain crucial, a far more profound transformation is now underway—one propelled by the explosive growth of drones, skyrocketing costs for missile interceptors, and the looming promise of laser-based defenses. Continue reading The Coming Revolution in Air Defense: How Drones and Directed Energy Are Forcing a Rethink

Counter-Drone Systems Comparison: C-UAS Technology Assessment

The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems across contemporary battlefields has fundamentally altered the threat landscape, demanding comprehensive counter-drone solutions that can address everything from commercial quadcopters to sophisticated military UAVs. Continue reading Counter-Drone Systems Comparison: C-UAS Technology Assessment

IRIS-T SL vs VL MICA vs CAMM: European Air Defense Systems Comparison

The selection of advanced air defense systems has become a defining strategic decision for European defense organizations navigating the complex intersection of technological sovereignty, alliance interoperability, and operational effectiveness. Continue reading IRIS-T SL vs VL MICA vs CAMM: European Air Defense Systems Comparison

The Drone Defense Economics Crisis: When $3M Missiles Target $38K Drones

The fundamental economics of drone warfare have created an unsustainable cost asymmetry that threatens traditional air defense models. Ukraine’s combat data reveals that drones account for 70% of combat casualties, while mass-produced attack drones cost as little as $20,000-38,000 each. Meanwhile, defenders face the reality of using interceptors costing 100 to 3,000 times more than the threats they engage. This economic warfare dynamic is driving revolutionary changes in air defense strategy, from AI-enabled autonomous systems to directed energy weapons that promise near-zero cost per engagement. Continue reading The Drone Defense Economics Crisis: When $3M Missiles Target $38K Drones