Slovakia receives two donated MANTIS air defence systems
Two MANTIS systems were delivered to Slovakian Defence Forces on 24 October. (Photo: Slovakian Ministry of Defence)
The MANTIS air defence system has been designed to protect vital structures and was developed to protect the camps where Bundeswehr troops were stationed in Afghanistan.
Slovakia has taken delivery of two Rheinmetall Modular, Automatic and Network Capable Targeting and Interception System (MANTIS) air defence systems which will be deployed on the country’s eastern border with Ukraine and operated by Slovak Air Force Brigade (11 SVK AF Bde) Nitra.
The systems were donated by Germany to boost Slovakia's already fielded ground‐based air defence capabilities and are part of NATO efforts to boost defences along eastern flank members.
Slovak defence minister Martin Sklenár said: ‘It is proof that our alliance pays off for Slovakia. Along with our engagement in support of Ukraine, it brings us countless benefits as well as security and protection guarantees.’
The MANTIS air defence systems are currently being fielded to 11 SVK AF Bde Nitra and will protect critical national infrastructure facilities in eastern Slovakia. More than 100 SVK service personnel have been trained on MANTIS, including on all aspects of operation, firing and maintenance.
The system is a stationary, fully-automated weapon station designed to provide continuous air defence cover for ground installations such as military bases or forward-operating bases, defending against the effects of incoming rockets, artillery rounds, mortar shells and UAS.
Germany originally developed MANTIS to protect the camps where Bundeswehr troops were stationed in Afghanistan and the first were delivered in 2012.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again]()
British Army vehicle programme may be shifting gears again
The UK’s effort to replace thousands of vehicles across a dozen base vehicle types has had a troubled history and statements from the UK’s Defence Minster Luke Pollard indicate change may be on the way.
-
![Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise]()
Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise
Having completed five days of trials with the US Army, the two Scorpion Light mortar systems will stay in Hawaii to take part in planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training exercises in early November.
