Germany Delivers First IRIS-T Air Defense System to Ukraine amidst Russian Missile Attacks

Ukraine’s military will receive first of Germany’s newest IRIS-T SLM air defense systems amidst ongoing massive Russian air raids.

Germany’s defense ministry confirmed the delivery of the tactical medium-range air defense system on October 10.

“The renewed rocket fire on Kyiv and the many other cities makes it clear how important it is to deliver air defense systems to Ukraine quickly. Russia's missile and drone attacks primarily terrorize the civilian population. That is why we are now supporting them with anti-aircraft weapons in particular,” Secretary of Defense Christine Lambrecht said. “The IRIS-T SLM air defense system will effectively protect the people of Ukraine.”

Ukraine signed a contract with the Germany’s Diehl Defense in June to purchase IRIS-T SLM systems. The German government will allocate money for the purchase.

The system consists of an IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System Tail) missile equipped with infrared guidance. Launchers can have a wheeled (MAN 8×8) or tracked chassis (two-section all-terrain BvS10 vehicle) and contain 4 launchers or 8 containers with missiles.

Modifications of medium and small radius are available. The IRIS-T SLM can hit targets at a distance of up to 40 km, and the “shorter” version of the SLS can reach up to 25 km.

The main sensor of the system is the Australian CEAFAR GBMMR radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) 3D radar. German Hensoldt-made TRML-4D radar (Hensoldt) can also be applied in the system, which allows detecting targets at a distance of up to 250 km.