IRIS-T SL vs S-500 missile system: Specs Compared

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AAir defence

S-500 missile system

Mobile surface-to-air missile

First system

Second system

Measured figures

Head to head

8 of 32 rows sourced on both sides

3.45m

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Length

All recorded figures & sources

2.94 m

IRIS-T SLS missile IRIS-T SLM missile

Single source

3.45 m

Length

Single source

Configuration

Details

IRIS-T SL and S-500 missile system configuration
Specification	IRIS-T SL	S-500 missile system
Type	Surface-to-air missile^[source]	Mobile surface-to-air missile^[source]
Place of origin	Germany, Sweden^[source]	Russian Federation^[source]
In service	2020^[source]	16 September 2021^[source]
Used by	See operators^[source]	Russian Space Forces

Wars	Russo-Ukrainian War^[source]	—

Designed	Since 2007^[source]	—

Manufacturer	Diehl Defence (lead) Hensoldt , Saab AB^[source]	Almaz-Antey^[source]

Developed from	IRIS-T air-to-air missile^[source]	—

Unit cost	Fire units: IRIS-T SLM: €140 million (FY 2022) Missiles: IRIS-T SLS: €400,000 (~US$400,000) IRIS-T SLM: Germany: €250,000 Other countries: €400,000 to €564,608^[source]	$2.5 billion^[source]

Produced	Since 2020^[source]	2021–present^[source]

Variants	Variants in service:IRIS-T SLS, IRIS-T SLM Variants in development: IRIS-T SLX, Naval surface-to-air missile^[source]	—

Warhead	Dual-layer HE/fragmentation^[source]	—

Detonation mechanism	Impact and active radar proximity fuse^[source]	—

Engine	Solid-fuel rocket with thrust vectoring control^[source]	—

Propellant	HTPB^[source]	—

Flight ceiling	IRIS-T SLS 8,000 m (26,000 ft) IRIS-T SLM 20,000 m (66,000 ft) IRIS-T SLX 30,000 m (98,000 ft)^[source]	—

Guidance system	Imaging infrared seeker SLX: combined radar and infrared guidance^[source]	—

Steering system	4 exhaust vanes and 4 tail wings^[source]	—

Role	family of short and high to medium air defense surface-to-air missile systems^[source]	—

Source measurement	IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Standard) is the air defence system which uses the IRIS-T AAM with few software modifications. However, its operational range is reduced from 25 km to 12 km, as has the ceiling from 8 to 6 km. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2 and average speed of 400 m/s, and it cannot attack targets that are closer than 1 km. The IRIS-T SLS has lock-on after launch capability which enable it to launch missiles without actually locking on any target. Once the missile receives the target's data in the form of three-dimensional coordinates, it will employ inertial guidance mode during the initial phase of flight. After attaining the required engagement altitude, the seeker activates and begins scanning the expected target zone. If the radar is unavailable, there is a portable target designator that is equipped with an IR camera and an integrated laser rangefinder . The crew can use it as an alternative to transmit target information to the missile.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLS / Robotsystem 98 (RBS 98); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Compared to the IRIS-T, the diameter of the rocket motor was increased by 25 mm, to 152 mm. Test launches from a fire unit consisting of a CEA CEAFAR radar, a Diehl IRIS-T SL launcher and an Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system were performed in 2014. The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed in January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa. A further fire test on the developed system of the IRIS-T SLM was completed in January 2022.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A MAN SX44 6x6 7-ton IRIS-T SL launcher^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher rear^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage IRIS-T SLX is an upgraded variant of IRIS-T surface-to-air missile which has the operational range of 80 km and ceiling of 30 km. It will also use a combined radar and infrared seeker and remote guidance for initial approach. On the ILA 2024, Diehl Defence displayed a missile model of the developing IRIS-T SLX, which looked quite different to both IRIS-T AAM and IRIS-T SL with a wider rocket motor but shorter overall length and smaller fins. This new missile can be integrated into the IRIS-T SLM launchers, which can be loaded with a mix of SL and SLX missiles as the result. Only 50 to 60 soldiers are needed for each system. The Diehl Defence chief programme officer Harald Buschek said this variant was capable of countering standoff weapons , and it was likely to be ready for operation within around 4 years. It also would retain the ability to engage cruise missiles and helicopters.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / Variants in development / IRIS-T SLX; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Ukraine (7 in service, 11 more on order)^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operators / Current operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Germany provided military aid packages to Ukraine facing the Russian invasion. 12 IRIS-T SLM systems, among which, 6 delivered (1 in October 2022, 1 in April 2023, 1 in October 2023, 1 in May 2024, 1 in December 2024 ), and additional IRIS-T SLM missiles are being supplied by Germany. 12 IRIS-T SLS systems, with three delivered. One IRIS-T SLS system likely consists of two launchers. The IRIS-T SLM batteries are all equipped with the fire control system Airbus Fortion IBMS-FC and the radar TRML-4D from Hensoldt . Those systems use the MAN HX2 platform. In comparison, each Ukrainian IRIS-T SLS system consists of 2 missile launchers. These launchers are integrated with Iveco 4×4 trucks. They need the Hensoldt TRML-4D mobile radar to guide the missiles. In May 2025, Germany placed an order for 6 IRIS-T SLS/SLM fire units, worth €2.2 billion. The framework agreement enables to provide up to 10 fire units, and 500 missiles, but depending on the Ukrainian needs, the munitions or the fire units might be prioritized.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operators / Current operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Bundeswehr ordered 2 IRIS-T SLM in July 2025 in favour of Denmark.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operators / Future operators and planned orders; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage During an undated engagement a fire unit commander reported an IRIS-T destroying 8 cruise missiles with 8 interceptors within 30 seconds, while protecting critical infrastructure: "We destroyed all targets within 30 seconds. The Russian cruise missiles entered the engagement zone literally one after another, and we immediately locked onto them as targets and fired upon them. For each target, we used one of our guided anti-aircraft missiles. We operated with 100 percent accuracy. The IRIS-T system can simultaneously engage many targets. And this allows successfully repelling massive enemy missile strikes," Having previously operated the Buk-M1 he said that the IRIS-T “exceeded all our expectations.”^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operational usage / Ukraine; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—

Source measurement

IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Standard) is the air defence system which uses the IRIS-T AAM with few software modifications. However, its operational range is reduced from 25 km to 12 km, as has the ceiling from 8 to 6 km. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2 and average speed of 400 m/s, and it cannot attack targets that are closer than 1 km. The IRIS-T SLS has lock-on after launch capability which enable it to launch missiles without actually locking on any target. Once the missile receives the target's data in the form of three-dimensional coordinates, it will employ inertial guidance mode during the initial phase of flight. After attaining the required engagement altitude, the seeker activates and begins scanning the expected target zone. If the radar is unavailable, there is a portable target designator that is equipped with an IR camera and an integrated laser rangefinder . The crew can use it as an alternative to transmit target information to the missile.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLS / Robotsystem 98 (RBS 98); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Compared to the IRIS-T, the diameter of the rocket motor was increased by 25 mm, to 152 mm. Test launches from a fire unit consisting of a CEA CEAFAR radar, a Diehl IRIS-T SL launcher and an Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system were performed in 2014. The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed in January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa. A further fire test on the developed system of the IRIS-T SLM was completed in January 2022.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A MAN SX44 6x6 7-ton IRIS-T SL launcher^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher rear^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / IRIS-T SLM; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

IRIS-T SLX is an upgraded variant of IRIS-T surface-to-air missile which has the operational range of 80 km and ceiling of 30 km. It will also use a combined radar and infrared seeker and remote guidance for initial approach. On the ILA 2024, Diehl Defence displayed a missile model of the developing IRIS-T SLX, which looked quite different to both IRIS-T AAM and IRIS-T SL with a wider rocket motor but shorter overall length and smaller fins. This new missile can be integrated into the IRIS-T SLM launchers, which can be loaded with a mix of SL and SLX missiles as the result. Only 50 to 60 soldiers are needed for each system. The Diehl Defence chief programme officer Harald Buschek said this variant was capable of countering standoff weapons , and it was likely to be ready for operation within around 4 years. It also would retain the ability to engage cruise missiles and helicopters.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Design of the fire units variants / Variants in development / IRIS-T SLX; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Ukraine (7 in service, 11 more on order)^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operators / Current operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Germany provided military aid packages to Ukraine facing the Russian invasion. 12 IRIS-T SLM systems, among which, 6 delivered (1 in October 2022, 1 in April 2023, 1 in October 2023, 1 in May 2024, 1 in December 2024 ), and additional IRIS-T SLM missiles are being supplied by Germany. 12 IRIS-T SLS systems, with three delivered. One IRIS-T SLS system likely consists of two launchers. The IRIS-T SLM batteries are all equipped with the fire control system Airbus Fortion IBMS-FC and the radar TRML-4D from Hensoldt . Those systems use the MAN HX2 platform. In comparison, each Ukrainian IRIS-T SLS system consists of 2 missile launchers. These launchers are integrated with Iveco 4×4 trucks. They need the Hensoldt TRML-4D mobile radar to guide the missiles. In May 2025, Germany placed an order for 6 IRIS-T SLS/SLM fire units, worth €2.2 billion. The framework agreement enables to provide up to 10 fire units, and 500 missiles, but depending on the Ukrainian needs, the munitions or the fire units might be prioritized.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operators / Current operators; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Bundeswehr ordered 2 IRIS-T SLM in July 2025 in favour of Denmark.^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operators / Future operators and planned orders; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

During an undated engagement a fire unit commander reported an IRIS-T destroying 8 cruise missiles with 8 interceptors within 30 seconds, while protecting critical infrastructure: "We destroyed all targets within 30 seconds. The Russian cruise missiles entered the engagement zone literally one after another, and we immediately locked onto them as targets and fired upon them. For each target, we used one of our guided anti-aircraft missiles. We operated with 100 percent accuracy. The IRIS-T system can simultaneously engage many targets. And this allows successfully repelling massive enemy missile strikes," Having previously operated the Buk-M1 he said that the IRIS-T “exceeded all our expectations.”^[source]IRIS-T SL · Operational usage / Ukraine; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

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Country of origin	Germany^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 20, row 9, cell 3; revision 1371178809; retrieved 2026-10-02 Germany^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 3, row 9, cell 3; revision 1376729049; retrieved 2026-10-01	—

Country of origin

Germany^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 20, row 9, cell 3; revision 1371178809; retrieved 2026-10-02

Germany^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 3, row 9, cell 3; revision 1376729049; retrieved 2026-10-01

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