Yuriy Ignat, the spokesperson for the Air Force Command of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said that Ukrainian Army has started to use the German IRIS-T air defense system in southern Ukraine, UkrInform reported.
IRIS-T SLM (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled Surface Launched Medium Range) air defense system is designed to protect civilians by repelling air attacks by the Russian army.
IRIS-T is considered to be one of the most advanced air defense systems able to improve the probability of a direct hit, its missiles are equipped with an active radar proximity sensor. It can:
- intercept fast-moving and miniature targets, such as air-to-air/surface-to-air missiles and air-to-surface/surface-to-surface missiles and rockets
- destroy UAVs/drones and cruise missiles