Still reinforcement for the Ukrainian army. kyiv has just received seven Iris-T air defense systems from Germany and still expects eleven others, confirmed Oleksi Makeiev, the Ukraine ambassador to Germany, in an interview with European Pravda.
Of the 18 Iris-T SLM systems commanded by kyiv to Germany, seven have just been delivered and eleven remaining systems will arrive as the production of the German company continues.
“Each system currently produced for Ukraine includes three medium -range SLM launchers and two short -range SLS launchers,” said Oleksii Makeiev. According to the latter, this combination forms an unique integrated air defense system.
The IRIS-T missile is available in two versions: the short range called “Iris-T SLS” and the average range called “Iris-T SLM”. Made by the German company Diehl Defense, the IRIS-T system, for “Infra Red Imaging System Tail”, has become a key element in the Ukrainian air defense network. It is designed to intercept cruise missiles, drones and planes, but it is less effective against ballistic missiles.
A range of 40 km, and an altitude of 20 km
The Iris-T SLM has a range up to 40 km and an altitude of 20 km, while the SLS covers 12 km at lower altitude. Guided by the battery radar during the first flight phase, these missiles then use an infrared guidance which allows you to locate the heat source in the target and explode there.
They can be launched vertically, which gives the system great agility and protection against flying threats at low altitude in so -called “congested” environments.
Since 2023, Berlin has launched a major initiative to support the Ukrainian air defense to face Russian attacks, making Germany one of the main kyiv air defense suppliers.
Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the time, said last September that the Ukrainian army had already used these systems to shoot down more than 250 Russian missiles and drones.