Airbus connects German and Swedish air defence forces into unified NATO shield
Chania, Crete, 14 October 2026 – Airbus Defence and Space has successfully integrated vital components of bi-national air defense during NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 26 in Crete. This event marked the first instance of both the German Air Force’s IRIS-T SLM air defense system and the Swedish Air Force’s Patriot air defense system being interconnected with the German SAMOC (Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre) command post. The SAMOC serves as the central software hub, effectively acting as the “brain” for coordinating air defense weapons.
In close collaboration with the armed forces of Germany and Sweden, Airbus showcased the capability to defend against drones and cruise missiles under realistic conditions and in real-time. This integration into SAMOC enabled the IRIS-T SLM to be coordinated during its inaugural live firing with real missiles by an all-German crew, fulfilling a crucial requirement for official NATO certification.
Simultaneously, the Swedish Air Force carried out its first independent PATRIOT live firing through the networked system, achieving NATO certification and validation of their PATRIOT systems, thereby demonstrating bi-national interoperability with Germany. Additionally, Airbus connected the German Army’s Light Air Defence System (LeFlaSys) to ensure a comprehensive, multi-layered defense chain effective over long, medium, and short distances.
Andreas Reinecke, Head of Defence Digital & Cyber at Airbus Defence and Space, stated, “Effective air defence today is the result of a seamlessly integrated overall capability, not merely the performance of individual products. From the initial target acquisition to a precise hit, our Command & Control solution in Crete demonstrated how smoothly the interaction works. The SAMOC command post connects individual weapon systems into a reliable, digital protective shield for Europe.”
The performance data gathered under real operational conditions, covering bandwidth, response time, and jam resistance, will directly enhance the further development of NATO’s networked command and control capabilities.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2026-10-14)
