File image.
The Russian military had destroyed a launcher of a German-made IRIS-T medium-range air defense system, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on May 2.
The ministry said that the launcher was targeted near the settlement of Ostroverkhovka in the Kharkiv region and released video footage of the strike. The footage shows two precision-guided munitions, most likely glide bombs, destroying the launcher and nearby equipment.
Germany promised to supply Kiev forces with 12 complete IRIS-T SLM systems and 24 IRIS-T SLS launchers following the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
The SLM has a range of 40 kilometers and a 20 kilometer altitude, while the SLS’ range and altitude is limited to 12 kilometers.
Both systems are armed with modified versions of the IRIS-T infrared-guided air-to-air missile. The modified missiles uses a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, with radar data link for command guidance during the initial approach. The infrared seeker head is activated at the terminal stage.
Not all the systems promised by Germany have been supplied to Ukraine yet and most of those that arrived in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged by the Russian military.
In recent months, the Russian military stepped up suppression of enemy air defenses operations, also known as SEAD, within the special military operation zone in Ukraine. As a result of these operations, Kiev forces lost dozens of air defense systems, including Western-made ones.
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