Within the framework of the Munich Security Conference, the German company Diehl Defence presented its air defense system solutions, among other products, to Argentina’s Ministry of Defense. The meeting held between Lieutenant Colonel (R) Lic. Daniel Enrique Martella, Secretary of International Affairs for Defense, and Engineer Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, opened the door to possible collaboration between both parties.
According to what was reported by Argentina’s Ministry of Defense, during the recent meeting the possibility of an upcoming visit by a team from the German company to Argentina was raised. “…In that context, Rauch expressed the company’s interest in exploring options and learning about the needs of the Argentine Armed Forces, in order to be able to offer realistic and reliable proposals. Likewise, he emphasized that the company works in full alignment with the German government…,” the Ministry of Defense detailed on social media.
Among the solutions for integrated air defense systems, Diehl Defence offers the IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM versions, which cover the very short, short, and medium-range niches. According to the German company, the IRIS-T SLM system is designed to counter aerial threats at a distance of up to 40 km and an altitude of up to 20 km. Deployed in the field, an IRIS-T SLM unit is composed of a missile launcher mounted on an 8×8 wheeled platform, an AESA radar, electro-optical systems, and a tactical operations center.
For its part, the IRIS-T SLS covers the short and very short-range niche. The system uses the standard IRIS-T air-to-air missile without modifications, which can be mounted on various light/medium platforms (wheeled or tracked), which grant it greater flexibility. Both variants have the added value of having been combat-proven, thanks to the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in recent years.
Argentine Army’s requirement
Currently, and as part of the Public Investment Projects incorporated into the 2026 Budget, the Argentine Army has a requirement for the incorporation of four “medium-coverage missile launcher systems.” Although the Air Defense System Modernization project mentions the ASPIDE 2000 (sic), the offering of more advanced systems could lead to a reconsideration of means.
It is worth noting that both the Army and the other Argentine Armed Forces have lacked for years a short- and medium-range surface-based air defense capability. The only progress on the matter was the acquisition of Saab RBS 70 missile launchers, a system of which the Army has a requirement for 99 units.
In parallel with the Army’s requirements, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces advanced on the matter with the program “Incorporation of an Air Defense System.” This initiative materialized with the acquisition of Saab RBS 70 NG systems, material whose first batch was presented at Naval Base Puerto Belgrano (BNPB) in November 2022 and which continues to be incorporated with a very low profile.
With a long list of material needs, potential collaboration in the air defense niche with Diehl Defence could be considered for the medium/long term, an initiative that also has the possibility of extending to the air-to-air solution, in this case as part of the F-16 MLU Fighting Falcon weapons system of the Argentine Air Force.
*Illustrative cover image. Credits: Diehl Defence
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