Leading German Defense company, Diehl Defence, and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Latvia signed an agreement for a procurement of IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system. The agreement is worth around 600 million euros and Latvia will start receiving this air-defense system in 2026.
The procurement is based on the framework agreement signed between Latvia, Estonia, and Diehl Defence in September 2023, Diehl Defence said in a press release. It mentioned, “Latvia will receive all the necessary equipment for an effective operation of the IRIS-T SLM system, which will ensure the introduction of layered air defence in Latvia as well as the integration of existing short-range capabilities”.
By signing this agreement, Latvia made biggest arms deal in its history. Before this, Latvia is operating FM-92 Stinger and Saab’s RBS-70 air defense systems. Latvia has also deployed Bofors 40mm L/70 guns.
Umair Aslam is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Defense Insight. He has worked as a defense journalist reporting on military modernization programs, defense industry, arms procurement, and emerging technologies.
