The German government transferred the first two launchers of the IRIS-T SLS short-range air defense system to Ukraine.

The news was published on the official website of the German federal government.

In addition, Ukraine is receiving nearly 5,000 rounds of 155mm smoke ammunition, four truck tractor trains, and eight load-handling trucks 15t.

It is also worth noting the transfer of 10 GO12 ground surveillance radars.

IRIS-T SLS

IRIS-T is a German short-range anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) designed to protect ground troops near the front line.

The system is designed to destroy cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. The IRIS-T SLS is capable of intercepting aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 12 kilometers and at an altitude of up to 8 kilometers.

The self-propelled anti-aircraft system is mounted on the tracked chassis of the BvS10 all-terrain armored vehicle, but it can also be mounted on a wheeled chassis.

The system is based on an IRIS-T missile with an infrared homing head that has been modernized for ground launch. Target capture occurs during the final segment of the flight, and prior to that, control is carried out by radio command with radar correction.

The CEAFAR GBMMR radar is the primary means of detecting aerial objects. The system can also work with the German TRML-4D (Hensoldt) radar, which detects aerial targets at a distance of up to 250 km.

Also, the system is equipped with its own radar station, due to which it can work autonomously in isolation from other vehicles of the system.

In October of last year, two IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense systems were put into service with the Ukrainian military.

In May 2023, the Air Force Command reported that the Iris-T had destroyed more than 60 air targets in seven months of operation. It is reported that both systems defend Ukrainian cities from missile attacks by Russian invaders.