IRIS-T SL-launcher including IRIS-T SL surface-to-air guided missiles on an MAN carrier vehicle. Source diehl.com
Germany is considering supplying IRIS-T SLM medium range air-defense systems to Ukraine, Bild reported on May 13.
According to the German news outlet, the German cabinet’s security council is discussing the matter. IRIS-T SLM systems, made by German weapons maker Diehl Defense, could be deployed in Ukraine from November if the decision was taken.
The IRIS-T SLM system can engage aerial targets up to 40 kilometers away at altitudes of up to more than 19 kilometers. The system’s main armament, the IRIS-T SL missile, is first directed towards its target via a datalink. Once in close proximity, the missile locks on the target with its imaging infrared seeker.
The system features a TRML-4D surveillance and target acquisition radar made by Germany’s Hensoldt. The radar is equipped an AESA [Active Electronically Scanned Array] sensor with a maximum range of 250 kilometers and the ability to track up to 1,500 targets at the same time.
The IRIS-T SLM was designed to counter strategic bombers, fighter jets, attack helicopters, anti-radiation missiles, cruise missiles, guided bombs, drones and large-caliber rockets.
Ukraine is interested in receiving ten IRIS-T SLM systems, which could be manufactured over the next three to four years. Training Ukrainian service members on the systems could start as soon as the German government has approved the plan.
Some of the downsides of the IRIS-T SLM air-defense system are its limited range and its infrared-based guidance system which makes it vulnerable to some extant to active counter-measures like flares.
Germany has been trying to rebuild the air-defense capabilities of Kiev forces since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. So far, Berlin have supplied Kiev forces with 2,700 Soviet-made Strela-2M and 500 US-made FIM-92 Stinger MANPADs [man-portable air-defense systems]. Berlin also promised to provide 50 German-made Flakpanzer Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.
The plan to supply Ukraine with IRIS-T SLM air-defense systems does not appear to be beneficial due to the long time Diehl Defense will take to manufacture the systems. Even if some systems were quickly manufactured and supplied, they will not likely present any new capability. Kiev forces are already using medium-range air-defense systems like the Soviet-made Buk-M1 with little success.
