Sweden buys German air defence system to defend Gotland

Sweden is making a major investment in its air defence capabilities by purchasing the German-made IRIS-T SLM system for SEK 9 billion (€790 million), the government announced on Monday.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defence Minister Pål Jonson unveiled the acquisition on Monday, emphasizing its strategic importance, especially for the defence of Gotland.

Located halfway between the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and St Petersburg, the island is a strategically significant location in the Baltic Sea region and is particularly vulnerable to military threats and potential attacks.

The system will enhance protection against drones, helicopters, fighter jets, and cruise missiles, and will be deployed to support army brigades and Sweden’s Gotland-based rapid response unit.

“This is perhaps one of the most important capabilities Sweden has acquired since the Patriot system in the 1990s,” Kristersson said. “Gotland will be much better protected – this is a radical reinforcement.”

The IRIS-T system, already in use in Ukraine, includes 49 vehicles, seven of which are firing units with a range of 40 kilometers and altitude coverage of 20 kilometers. The remaining vehicles will handle loading, maintenance, and logistics.

The Swedish government described the system as one of the most modern and effective on the market, with deliveries starting in 2028. Sweden has already supported Ukraine with ammunition for its IRIS-T systems, and the core technology is also used in Swedish Gripen fighter jets.

The purchase is part of a broader air defence expansion, with Jonson calling it “just a first step”. The government also plans to equip Visby-class corvettes with air defence capabilities.

A recent cross-party defense agreement highlighted air defence as a top priority.