IRIS-T Manufacturer Launches New Production Facility and Plans to Produce 10 Air Defense Systems in 2026

Diehl Defence has launched a new production facility in Nonnweiler (Saarland) and plans to increase IRIS-T production to ten air defense systems this year.

This was reported on the company’s official website.

The opening of the new missile integration center will allow the company to significantly strengthen its missile production capabilities, as the IRIS-T air defense system is currently one of the main air defense systems in Europe.

Company representatives note that after reaching 10 batteries in 2026, the next goal will be to manufacture 16 systems in two years.

Diehl Defence pays special attention to ammunition. Since 2021, the number of IRIS-T SL missiles manufactured has increased tenfold. It is worth noting that the company has already invested €1.5 billion to expand its production capabilities and will soon reach a production rate of 2,000 missiles per year.

At the same time, the planned production capacity for the end of 2025 was 800 to 1,000 missiles.

If necessary, the manufacturer is ready to consider an even more significant increase in production rates.

The new 3,400-square-meter building is designed specifically for working with explosives and meets the most stringent safety standards.

The company’s CFO, Thomas Bodenmüller, emphasized that more than 20 construction projects are planned in Nonnweiler to expand production.

“In addition to further production buildings for other product lines, a new logistics building is also planned at our site in Mariahütte,” said Thomas Bodenmüller, CFO of Diehl Defence.

It should be noted that as of today, the German Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 50 IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense systems, which will be supplied not only to the Air Force but also to new air defense units of the Army.

Currently, six IRIS-T SLM systems have been contracted for Germany, one of which has been undergoing testing at BAAINBw for over a year, while the remaining five are to be delivered during 2026.

At the same time, in April 2025, it was reported that the Bundeswehr could not start operating the IRIS-T SLM complex purchased in September 2024 due to the lack of certification in accordance with German safety standards.

All six systems, without exception, will go to the Air Force, specifically to the 61st Surface-to-Air Missile Group in Todendorf. According to the publication, 12 more IRIS-T SLM systems are planned for the 1st Air Force Division in the future.