Germany to give Ukraine 12 IRIS-T SLS short-range surface-to-air missiles

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been using IRIS-T SLM medium-range surface-to-air missile systems since last autumn. They will soon be joined by IRIS-T SLS.

Here's What We Know

The SLS version is a short-range air defence system. It is better known as RBS-98. That is the name of the system in service with the Swedish Army, which uses the BvS 10 tracked armoured vehicle as its chassis.

The IRIS-T SLM can intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km and ranges up to 40 km. The system includes several launchers and a radar station. In the case of the SLS version, it was possible to fit everything into a single vehicle.

IRIS-T SLS is designed for short-range defense. The range of interception of air threats is up to 12 km and a maximum altitude of 8 km. The system uses IRIS-T missile with infrared warhead. By the way, the missile modification for launch from a ground-based launcher is equipped with a more powerful engine than the airborne variant.

The system can intercept fighters, attack helicopters, anti-radar and cruise missiles, large caliber missiles, guided bombs and drones. Which version of the IRIS-T SLS will go to Ukraine is not yet known.

What we do know is that Diehl is working on a version of the Mk III based on a wheeled chassis rather than a tracked one. This increases the mobility of the system. And yes, the German government website indicates that Germany will send 12 IRIS-T SLS surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine.

Source: Bundesregierung