Airbus Defence and Space successfully integrated key components of bi-national air defence during NATO exercise SPARTAN ARROW 26 in Chania, Crete, on 14 October 2026. For the first time, both the German Air Force’s IRIS-T SLM air defence system and the Swedish Air Force’s Patriot air defence system were connected to the German SAMOC (Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre) command post, the central software hub that coordinates air defence weapons. Working closely with the armed forces of Germany and Sweden, Airbus demonstrated networking to defend against drones and cruise missiles under realistic conditions and in real time.

Through the integration into SAMOC, IRIS-T SLM was coordinated during its first live firing with real missiles by an all-German crew, a key prerequisite for official NATO certification. At the same time, the Swedish Air Force completed its first independent Patriot live firing via the networked system, marking certification and validation of the Swedish Patriot systems by NATO and demonstrating bi-national interoperability with Germany. Airbus also networked the German Army’s Light Air Defence System, known as LeFlaSys and used for short-range drone protection, to deliver a connected, multi-layered defence chain covering long, medium and short distances.

“Effective air defence today is the result of a seamlessly integrated overall capability, not the performance of individual products,” said Andreas Reinecke, Head of Defence Digital & Cyber at Airbus Defence and Space. “From initial target acquisition to a precise hit, our Command & Control solution in Crete showed how smoothly the interaction works. The SAMOC command post connects individual weapon systems into a reliable, digital protective shield for Europe.”

Airbus said performance data gathered under real operational conditions, covering bandwidth, response time and jam resistance, will feed directly into the further development of NATO’s networked command and control capabilities.