The German Air Force is helping to reinforce NATO’s eastern border allies. On 7 February 2023, Germany announced it would be donating two MANTIS systems to Slovakia to permanently strengthen Slovak air defences. In addition to the scheduled delivery of the MANTIS Air Defence System and the airspace surveillance radar, training for Slovak soldiers has begun in Schleswig-Holstein. By the end of the year, the goal is to deliver over two MANTIS Air Defence Systems to NATO partner Slovakia. The specialists of the 61st Anti-Aircraft Missile Group 61 from Todendorf will also teach the operating personnel on the missile system and the related air monitoring radars. Slovakian enlisted soldiers and officers receive additional training, ranging from basic weapon system instruction through repairs and combat operations, to enable them to operate the system independently in their country.
The MANTIS (Modular, Automatic and Network Capable Targeting and Interception System) Air Defence System, formerly titled NBS-C-RAM (Nächstbereichschutzsystem Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar), is a very short range air defense protection system of the German Air Force, intended for base-protection. It is produced by Rheinmetall Air Defence, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall of Germany. It is a part of the air force’s future SysFla air-defence project. Originally, the German Army ordered a first batch of two systems in 2009, to be delivered in 2013, with two more systems planned to follow later, but were never bought. The first two systems cost around €110.8 million, plus another €20 million for training and documentation purposes. In a follow-on contract, worth around €13.4 million, Rheinmetall will also deliver the corresponding ammunition to the Bundeswehr.
The MANTIS system is intended to detect, track and shoot down incoming projectiles before they can reach their target within very close range. The system itself is based on Oerlikon Contraves’ Skyshield air defence gun system. The system consists of six 35 mm automatic guns (capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute), a ground control unit and two sensor units. The guns fire programmable AHEAD ammunition, developed by Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions – Switzerland (formerly Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec). The ammunition carries a payload of 152 tungsten projectiles weighing 3.3 g (51 gr) each. The MANTIS radar can acquire a target within two seconds, then engage it with one of the guns firing a 36-round burst. Two guns directed by one radar each can engage multiple targets. After being manually activated, the system operates fully automatically.
The MANTIS Air Defence Systemis supposed to detect, track and shoot down incoming projectiles before they can reach their target within very close range. The counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, abbreviated C-RAM or counter-RAM system itself based on Oerlikon Contraves’ Skyshield air defence gun system. The ontraves’ Skyshield air defence gun consists of six 35mm automatic guns (capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute), a ground control unit and two sensor units. The entire system is fully automated. The guns fire programmable AHEAD ammunition, developed by Rheinmetall Weapons and Munitions – Switzerland (formerly Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec). The ammunition carries a payload of 152 tungsten projectiles weighing 3.3g (51gr) each.
