TSAMTO, April 20. As the German publication Spiegel reported with reference to its sources, Germany handed over to Ukraine the second of the four promised IRIS-T SLM anti-aircraft missile systems.
It is reported that the delivery of one system and 16 missiles was carried out in the area of April 16.
The first complex was transferred to Ukraine in October last year. Presumably, the delivery was made from among the SAMs ordered by Diehl Defense Egypt.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have placed a complex in the Kiev area and are used to intercept Russian means of air attack. The delivery of the second SAM on April 19 was confirmed by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine A.Reznikov.
According to Spiegel, the remaining two IRIS-T SLM complexes should be delivered by the beginning of 2024. Their production has not yet been completed. Moreover, Ukraine has requested additional systems.
The German Ministry of Defense has not yet published information about the delivery of the second IRIS-T SLM SAM to Ukraine on its website. On April 18, it announced that it had delivered the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine.
According to Spiegel, the German authorities also negotiated with the Swedish government on the acquisition of mobile launchers of the IRIS-T system from the Swedish Armed Forces. According to the publication, Sweden has transferred 12 IRIS-T SLS launchers to Germany. Currently, a search is underway for vehicles on which these launchers can be installed for transfer to Ukraine.
There are no IRIS-T SLM SAMs in service with the German Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defense intends to purchase eight complexes. The draft should be submitted for approval by the budget committee of the Bundestag this year.
As reported by TSAMTO, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced his intention to transfer several IRIS-T air defense systems to the AFU of Diehl Defense, as well as other weapons systems, in early June 2022. According to German media, Ukraine's request provided for the supply of up to 11 SAMs, but their production will take several years. At the moment, the transfer of four IRIS-T SLMs has been agreed. According to media reports, the cost of one complex is estimated at 140 million euros.
Thus, the contract with Ukraine for the supply of the first system, related support, training and ammunition was signed last June at the Eurosatory-2022 exhibition in Paris. Later, a contract was signed for the supply of three additional systems. The company provides a 12-week training course for Ukrainian servicemen in Germany.
The IRIS-T SLM battery includes a control center, one mobile multifunctional radar, from two to four self-propelled launchers on a wheeled chassis, each of which houses eight TPCs with IRIS-T SLM interceptors. The SAM allows you to hit targets at ranges from 1 to 40 km and altitudes up to 20 km.
Despite the supply of SAMs, the problem for the APU is the ammunition for them. Ukraine intends to raise the issue of urgent delivery of anti-aircraft guided missiles to its sponsors at the next meeting in the Ramstein format, which will be held on April 21.
