Airbus connects IRIS-T SLM and Patriot for the first time during NATO exercise
During NATO's Spartan Arrow 26 exercise, organized in Crete, Airbus Defence and Space connected a German IRIS-T SLM system and a Swedish Patriot system to the same command post for the first time. The group announced this in a press release published on October 14, 2026 from Chania.
The SAMOC command post at the centre of the system
The system is based on the German SAMOC command post (Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre). Airbus presents it as the central software hub, the "brain", responsible for coordinating air defence weapons. The IRIS-T SLM system of the German Air Force and the Patriot system of the Swedish Air Force were connected to it.
The operation was conducted in close cooperation with the German and Swedish armed forces. According to the press release, Airbus demonstrated the networking of these systems against drones and cruise missiles, under realistic conditions and in real time.
First live firings for the IRIS-T SLM and Swedish Patriot
Through this integration, the IRIS-T SLM was coordinated during its first live firing of missiles, conducted by an all-German crew. The press release presents this step as a key prerequisite for official NATO certification.
At the same time, the Swedish Air Force conducted its first autonomous live firing of a Patriot via the networked system. According to Airbus, this firing marks the certification and validation of Swedish Patriot systems by NATO and demonstrates binational interoperability with Germany.
Air defence chain extended to short range
Airbus also networked the LeFlaSys light air defence system of the German Army, designed to protect against short-range drones. Together they form a multilayered defence chain covering long, medium and short distances.
"Effective air defence today results from an integrated capability seamlessly connected, rather than from the performance of individual products," said Andreas Reinecke, Head of Defence Digital & Cyber at Airbus Defence and Space.
Performance data collected under real operational conditions, covering bandwidth, reaction time and jamming resistance, will directly feed into the development of NATO's networked command and control capabilities.
