Two IRIS-T SL launchers and a command station on display in Egypt during President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's inspection of the 6th Armoured Division on 8 October 2024. (Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt)
The Egyptian military displayed its new Diehl Defence IRIS-T Surface Launched (SL) air-defence system for the first time when President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi inspected the 6th Armoured Division on 8 October.
Six IRIS-T launchers and two control stations for the system were shown formed up with the division in the television coverage of the event, which took place at an inspection ground that could be identified as one about 40 km southwest of Ismailia. The components were not identified as being from the IRIS-T but labelled in Arabic as the Saqr (Falcon) system.
A Hensoldt TRML-4D radar for the system featured in a parade of equipment. The television commentator described the German-made Saqr system as one of the most modern air-defence systems in the world, saying it can detect up to 1,500 targets at all altitudes and simultaneously track 400, including ones with small radar cross-sections.
The IRIS-T SL can use the SLS missile that was developed from Diehl's IRIS-T air-to-air missile or the longer-range SLM. The German press reported in September 2018 that Berlin had approved the sale of the IRIS-T SLM to Egypt. Diehl has never confirmed the identity of the customer that placed the first order for the IRIS-T SL with SLM missiles but announced in January 2022 that the system was successfully tested in realistic conditions for the first time in late 2021.
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