Bundeswehr has a few systems left for air defence. For example only two MANTIS, a system for close-range protection, were procured in recent years. But nowadays air defence with more or less stationary systems gains importance, not only for Bundeswehr. MANTIS can cover a 360-degree radius of three kilometres and thus protect not only field camps but also cities and civilian facilities. Each gun can fire up to 1,000 rounds per minute.
But Germany will hand over their MANTIS to Slovakia in order to strengthen NATO’s borders. German Air Force tweeted: “We intend to hand over MANTIS and air surveillance radars to Slovakia. At a meeting of the German Air Force with the Slovakian General Staff, the next steps were discussed – goal: further strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank by handing over by October 2023.”
In addition to MANTIS, Bundeswehr currently only has Ozelot in addition to MANTIS for close-range and Patriots for long-range air defence.
Dorothee Frank, Head of editorial team