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In a ceremonial ceremony on October 24, the Deputy Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Lieutenant General Markus Laubenthal, handed over two MANTIS (Modular, Automatic and Network capable Targeting and Interception System) air defense systems to the Slovakian armed forces. The value of the systems is estimated at around 110 million euros.

The BMVg announced in May that it would support Slovakia with MANTIS and air surveillance radars this year. At that time, the training of Slovak personnel at Anti-Aircraft Missile Group 61 in Todendorf had already begun. 100 future Slovak operators of the systems were trained in all aspects of operation, launch and maintenance.

The MANTIS system with (from left to right) sensor units, containers with an operating and fire control center and an automatic weapon station. (Photo: Bundeswehr Michael Seidel)

According to a statement from the Slovakian Ministry of Defense, the 11th SVK AF Brigade is primarily intended to protect critical infrastructure facilities in eastern Slovakia.

Defense Minister Martin Sklenár thanked us: “My thanks go to our German partners who have made these systems available to the Slovak armed forces free of charge and on a permanent basis. This is proof that our alliance is paying off for Slovakia. In addition to our commitment to support Ukraine, it brings us countless benefits, security and protection guarantees and, as we can see today, also gives us the opportunity to strengthen our own capabilities.”

Weapon station with 35 mm anti-aircraft cannon. (Photo: Bundeswehr Lars Koch)

According to information from the Bundeswehr, the MANTIS air defense system is a modular short-range protection system against air attacks. It defends against rockets, artillery shells and mortars, but also aerial targets such as drones or cruise missiles.

MANTIS primarily protects facilities and objects, especially field camps. It consists of several sensor units, an operating and fire control center and several guns. It could also be used purely as an early warning system (“Sense and Warn”) without guns. The MANTIS air defense system is capable of all-weather capabilities and fulfills its mission day and night. Germany originally developed MANTIS to protect the camps where Bundeswehr soldiers were stationed in Afghanistan. MANTIS was also deployed to protect the field camp at MINUSMA in Mali.

Sensor unit with tracking and tracking radar (Photo: Bundeswehr Lars Koch)

According to the Slovak Defense Ministry, each of the two MANTIS systems handed over consists of six automatic weapon stations (optionally available with up to eight guns), two sensor units and a command post. The package from Germany also includes five surveillance radars with a range of up to 100 kilometers and the already mentioned specialist training for the Slovakian military.

Editorial staff / gwh

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