At secret location, Ukrainians train on ‘game changer’ German weapon
- Tight security around IRIS-T as first reporters allowed to visit secret training site
- The German-made weapon is one of the West’s most advanced air defence systems
In a remote German wood away from prying eyes, around 40 Ukrainians are taking a crash course on one of the West’s most advanced air defence systems, already confident it will enable them to better ward off Russian strikes once they return home.
Boasting a range of some 40km (25 miles) and a 360 degree view, the IRIS-T SLM system is one of the most coveted of the weapons that Berlin has supplied to Kyiv.
“Our main task is to learn as quickly as possible so we can get back and continue to fight,” Myckhailo, a 45-year-old who has been a soldier for 27 years, told the first few reporters granted access to the training sessions this week.
So far, the single IRIS-T unit already deployed in Ukraine has been used to shoot down cruise missiles that Moscow has attacked power stations with, and aircraft including Iranian-made Shahed drones – with stunning success.
“A few days ago, our air force commander said IRIS-T has hit 51 out of 51 targets, that’s a 100 per cent quota for Shahed drones and cruise missiles,” said 36 year-old Anatolii, adding Kyiv needed at least 12 of the systems.
Berlin has promised to send four in total, with the second due to arrive within weeks – two years before Germany’s own air force can expect its first.