The news that the anti-aircraft missile units of Ukraine's Defense Forces could successfully shoot down ballistic targets using German IRIS-T SLM air defense systems may seem almost sensational. It is known that among all Western air defense systems available to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, only the U.S. Patriot system is capable of effectively performing such tasks.
However, a message appeared on social media claiming that the Ukrainian military had successfully shot down several russian ballistic missiles using German IRIS-T missiles. The original source was a post by German Aid Ukraine, whose authors cited an interview with Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, published in European Pravda.
Read more: Ukrainian Pilot Denfix Downs 20+ Targets with Modernized MiG-29 Aircraft
After analyzing this report, one could think that Ukrainian air defense forces can now use the German-made system as a situational countermeasure against russian Iskander missiles.
However, In such cases, it is better to consult the original source instead of social media. In an interview, Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, stated: "However, only Patriot systems effectively shoot down ballistic missiles. For example, servicemen have mentioned cases where IRIS-T managed to shoot down a ballistic missile, but these systems serve a different purpose."
In this case, the original message was that Patriot systems are indispensable in countering russian Iskander missiles, despite the fact that some Ukrainian anti-aircraft crews have successfully used German IRIS-T.
It is worth noting the points Oleksii Makeiev made in his interview with European Pravda regarding the supply of German IRIS-T air defense systems.
It is reported that each battery in this system includes three IRIS-T SLM medium-range launchers and two IRIS-T SLS short-range launchers, totaling five launchers. In total, Ukraine is set to receive 18 IRIS-T air defense systems, seven of which have already been delivered.
Earlier Defense Express reported that if the Germans develop the IRIS-T SLM air defense system with artificial intelligence capabilities against ballistic threats, it should definitely be tested in Ukraine.
Read more: Germany's Hensoldt to Supply Ukraine with Advanced TRML-4D and Spexer 2000 Mk 3 Radars for the First Time
