Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will send Ukraine advanced IRIS-T SLM surface-to-air
missile systems, as well as rocket launchers and tracking radars to detect enemy howitzers,
mortars and artillery.
He stated that his government would donate to Kyiv a batch of these missile-launchers
Scholz said in a speech to the German parliament, “The government has decided to deliver the
IRIS-T system, the most modern air defense system Germany has.
This will enable the Ukrainian government to defend entire cities from Russian missile
attacks.”
An IRIS-T SLM battery includes several eight-round launchers plus a command post and a radar,
all mounted on heavy-duty trucks.
IRIS-T SLM to Ukraine would signify the most advanced surface-to-air missile system headed
to the country yet.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes why German IRIS-T SLM in Ukraine could be dreadful
for Russia?
Let's get started.
The IRIS-T SL (Surface Launched) is a mobile, medium-range surface-to-air guided missile
designed and developed by Diehl BGT Defence to meet future medium-range air defense needs
of the German Air Force.
The new missile is effective against all types of aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles,
guided weapons, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radar rockets and large-caliber
rockets.
It also has a high 'probability of kill' against unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned combat
aerial vehicles and other small maneuvering threats at very short and medium-range distances.
IRIS-T SL is an advanced version of the IRIS-T air-to-air guided missile, which entered service
in December 2005.
There are different models of the IRIS-T SL.
A short-range version firing missiles out to 8 miles or 13 km.
It is known as IRIS-T SLS meaning Short Range A medium-range model with a 25-mile or 40
km reach.
It is known as IRIS-T SLM meaning Medium Range
There also is a new, longer-range version in development.
Ukraine apparently wants the medium model, that is the SLM variant.
The vertical-launched, light-weight, interoperable IRIS-T SL missile can be launched by the IRIS-T
SLM/SLS missile launchers.
It can also be integrated with the existing and future air defense systems of allied forces
using a plug and fight data interface.
It can engage multiple targets simultaneously.
The guided missile is stored in a fiberglass-fortified canister, which is also used for transport
and launch.
The IRIS-T SL launcher vehicle can deploy up to eight missiles.
The missile has a pre-fragmented warhead and offers 360° defense against air attacks in
homeland defense or international missions.
The missile is propelled by an advanced rocket motor fitted with an integrated thrust vector
control system.
The IRIS-T SL missile is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) / inertial navigation
system (INS) technology for autonomous navigation.
A radiofrequency (RF) data link is incorporated to transmit virtual target data from an external
radar to the missile during the flight.
A high-precision passive infrared seeker is incorporated to provide missile guidance,
increased countermeasure resistance, and high target accuracy.
The missile's compact control section incorporates motor drivers, four independent fin lock devices,
close loop position control, power conversion, and self-test capability.
It offers enhanced position accuracy and high reliability.
The control section also has high torque capability enabling it to pursue fast and agile targets
like a modern fighter jet.
The missile is equipped with an 11.4 kg or 25 kg, high-explosive fragmentation Warhead
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been lobbying for heavier firepower to push
back the Russian advance now focused on the eastern region of Donbas.
While Western allies are wary of being drawn into an outright war with Russia, they are
providing heavier weapons than before.
Ukrainian forces have used their aging Soviet-era air defense to great effect and prevented
Russia from achieving air superiority.
But after nearly 100 days of bombardment, the Russians have destroyed a couple dozen
of Ukraine’s original S-300 launchers which are the backbone of its air defense setup.
So, the addition of IRIS-T SL is a much-needed capability.
Given the inefficient SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) missions carried out by
the Russian Air Force, it is likely that they will find it very difficult to neutralize
a system like IRIS-T SL