TSAMTO, October 24. Germany has transferred MANTIS air defense systems to Slovakia to strengthen the protection of the border with Ukraine.
This, as RIA Novosti reports, was reported on October 24 by the press service of the Slovak Ministry of Defense.
"The Slovak Armed Forces today adopted MANTIS air defense systems, which will strengthen the protection of the eastern border with Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement.
The transfer ceremony took place in the Slovak city of Nitra, which is located in the west of the country, 90 km from Bratislava.
As part of the delivery of German air defense systems, the Slovak military also received the necessary training for their use.
TSAMTO Reference
Germany has transferred two MANTIS short-range air defense systems (Modular, Automatic and Network capable Targeting and Interception System) to the Slovak Ministry of Defense to strengthen the country's air defense on its eastern border with Ukraine in accordance with the donation agreement.
The donation document was signed on June 8, 2023 by the head of the Directorate of Defense Capabilities of the Slovak Ministry of Defense Dalibor Pavolka and his German colleague Thomas Frankenberger.
Slovakia will receive MANTIS systems free of charge and on a permanent basis, based on the results of bilateral negotiations and the common goal of strengthening NATO's defense in the east, of which Slovakia is a part.
According to the statement of D.Pavolki, MANTIS anti-aircraft artillery systems will increase the firepower of Slovakia's ground-based air defense system and the ability to protect defense infrastructure facilities from threats from the air.
Each of the two systems will include 6 remotely controlled automated combat modules with 35 mm automatic guns (up to eight are available optionally), 2 detection modules and a command post. Germany will also supply three radars with a target detection range of up to 100 km as part of the package, and will provide training for personnel.
Germany developed MANTIS systems to protect its bases in Afghanistan and used them there until the withdrawal of troops. The intention to provide these systems to Slovakia was first announced during the official visit of German Defense Minister Kristina Lambrecht to Slovakia in December 2022. The command of the German Armed Forces decided to transfer the complexes in February 2023. The Slovak Armed Forces will receive both MANTIS systems adopted by the Bundeswehr.
The MANTIS system developed by Rheinmetall is designed to protect ground-based military facilities (for example, military bases) and civilian infrastructure from various low-altitude aerial threats, including manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at ranges from 500 to 3000 m. In addition, MANTIS can be used to protect national territory and allied states, as well as in the so-called "operations below the level of conventional war" MOOTW (Military Operations Other Then War).
The MANTIS kits purchased by the German Armed Forces include six stationary remotely controlled automated tower-type anti-aircraft artillery installations with 35 mm automatic guns "Oerlikon–35/100" (rate of fire - 1000 rounds per minute), which allow firing programmable ammunition with ready-made striking elements AHEAD (Advanced Hit Efficiency aud Destruction), two detection modules, fire control station, maintenance console and simulator.
