Germany officially confirmed the transfer of the second Iris-T SLM air defense system to Ukraine
30 April, 2023 Launcher of the IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Photo credits: Bundeswehr The Ukrainian military received the second Iris-T SLM SAM from Germany.
Information on this was published on the Federal Government website, where the list of assistance transferred to Ukraine is regularly updated. The list also includes eight Zetros trucks and two load-handling 8x6 trucks with 8 roll-off containers. Spiegel reported the transfer of the second Iris-T SLM SAM to Ukraine on April 19.
The IRIS-T SLM SAM of the Ukrainian military. January 2023, Ukraine. Photo credits: ArmyInform
This is the second air defense system of the four that Ukraine should receive from Germany.
Sweden is also involved in the supply of these air defense systems, namely the transfer of launchers compatible with the IRIS-T SAM. According to Spiegel journalists, Sweden handed over 12 IRIS-T SLS launchers to Germany. Currently, they are looking for vehicles on which those can be installed for further delivery to Ukraine.
IRIS-T is a German medium-range anti-aircraft missile system (SAM). The system is designed to destroy cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. The basis of air defense systems are modified air-to-air IRIS-T aircraft missiles.
IRIS-T SLX; IRIS-T SLM; IRIS-T SLS
There are medium- and small-radius modifications.
The IRIS-T SLM allows you to hit aerial targets at a distance of up to 40 km and in the "shorter" SLS version - up to 25 km. Launchers can have a wheeled (MAN 8x8) or tracked chassis (BvS10 tracked articulated all-terrain vehicle) and include 8 containers with missiles for vertical launch. The primary means of detecting air targets is the CEAFAR GBMMR radar with an active electronically scanned array antenna.
The system can also be used with the German TRML-4D (Hensoldt) radar, which detects air targets at a distance of up to 250 km. The Ukrainian military received the first such system in October last year.
In January this year, the Ukrainian military discussed the operation of the system in more detail.
In its first use, the SAM shot down 100 percent of the targets, mostly cruise missiles.