Speaking at the opening of the 5th German-Ukrainian Economic Forum held in Berlin on October 24, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will deliver three more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine in the near future.

We stand by the Ukrainians in this struggle, which is also the struggle for security and peace in Europe. We support Ukraine with weapons as well as from a political, financial, economic, humanitarian point of view,” – said Olaf Scholz.

The Chancellor recalled that the first modern German-made air defense system IRIS-T is already protecting Ukraine.

“Three more such systems will be delivered in the near future. Together with our partners, we will support Ukraine as long as necessary,” said Olaf Scholz.

We are talking about the main features of the air defense complex, which has already protected the Ukrainian sky.

The IRIS-T supplied to Ukraine is Germany’s most advanced air defense system. The modification supplied to our country is completely new. Final tests were not carried out until the end of 2021, and the Bundeswehr has not yet purchased such systems. The cost of each installation is approximately 140 million Euros. This is the first of four such systems promised, and three are more likely to arrive no sooner than next year.

The IRIS-T SLM is a German medium-range anti-aircraft missile system. This is Germany’s most modern air defense system, developed by the weapons company Diehl Defense. Land-based air defense systems are primarily designed to protect the civilian population by repelling enemy air attacks. The complex consists of three highly mobile vehicles: the launcher of a military truck carrying up to eight missiles, a radar vehicle and a commander’s vehicle. Anti-aircraft missiles can hit targets at an altitude of up to 20 kilometers and at a distance of up to 40 kilometers. The IRIS-T SLM is used to destroy aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise and ballistic missiles. The anti-aircraft battery is equipped with its own radar for detecting air targets with a range of 250 km. The complex can fire multiple targets simultaneously in any weather conditions.

The IRIS-T SLM was developed according to the principle of complete independence from the chassis on which it is based. All components of the system are compatible in dimensions and fasteners with standard 20-foot sea containers and can be transported by any means of transport such as conventional trucks.

The control center has workspace for two operators. Communication with other components of the system is possible via both radio and fiber optic cable. In addition, the control center can exchange data with higher-level control systems. At the same time, data exchange can take place either in real time or in near real time.

The launcher is unmanned, has eight IRIS-T SL missiles. For the possibility of firing at targets 360 degrees in azimuth, the launch occurs vertically. It takes about 10 minutes to place the launcher in position, alignment is automatic. Simultaneous bombardment of several targets is achieved by the rapid launch of several missiles. Charging takes about 15 minutes.

The launcher is equipped with all the necessary subsystems (electric generator, fire control system, radio station) and can be located at a distance of up to 20 km from the control center.

The first of the German IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile systems, which Ukraine received, showed itself well during the last attacks of the Russian army.

“The extreme bombardment we had: IRIS-T showed itself extremely well. This information on the baptism of fire of this complex and the verification of its combat capability and effectiveness in combat conditions has passed. Yuriy Ignat, Spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, “This information will be transmitted to the German side and taken into account. will be taken,” he said.

Bohdan Tuzov