MANTIS Air Defence System

MANTIS Air Defence System (Modular, Automatic and Network Capable Targeting and Interception System), formerly titled NBS-C-RAM (Nächstbereichschutzsystem Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar), is a very short range air defence 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.

System
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. A MANTIS 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.

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. Both MANTIS systems have been transferred to the German Air Force, which is now responsible for all air defence tasks. 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 German Air Force took possession of the first MANTIS system on January 1, 2011. It was first deployed to Mali at the end of 2017, although without the guns.

On 7 February 2023, Germany announced it would be donating two MANTIS systems to Slovakia to strengthen Slovak air defences permanently.

On 24 October 2023, The Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojené sily Slovenskej republiky) took over the Mantis air defence system from the German Army on Tuesday at the 11th Air Force Brigade in Nitra. Their task will be to strengthen the protection of the eastern border with Ukraine.

Former operators

 * 🇩🇪 Germany: 2 Systems donated to Slovakia in 2023

Current operators

 * 🇸🇰 Slovakia: 2 Donated by Germany in 2023