Ukraine has been inundated with large quantities of western weaponry since the outbreak of war with Russia.
Until now, the focus has been on short-range systems such as the Stinger AD SAM man-portable air defence systems from the US and Starstreak from the UK.
But an air defence system is what Kyiv really desires. Both Germany and the US had pledged to provide medium-range ordnance some months ago but so far, none has materialised.
It appears that Russia's renewed aerial bombardment has galvanised Berlin to act on its promise, saying a batch of medium-range Iris-T SLMs is now just days away.
Similarly, the US is expected to speed up delivery of eight Nasams — National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems — that President Joe Biden promised to Ukraine in the summer.
Ukraine's current armoury is ill-suited to fighting the biggest aerial threats facing the country: out-of-sight fast aircraft releasing high-altitude missiles and other weapons.
What is the Iris-T SLM air defence system?
Developed by German manufacturer Diehl, Iris-T SLMs are part of Nato's Medium Extended Air Defence System which replaced the Patriot missile system.
Mounted on the high-mobility Man 8×8 vehicles, they are low altitude weapons designed to counter attacks from manned aircraft, drones and cruise and ballistic missiles — including those with nuclear capacity.
A single Meads battery can provide air defence over an area nearly eight times as great as the Patriot could. It also requires just two operators and takes only eight minutes to deploy.
The enhanced functionality was achieved using near-vertical launching, advanced radars and the ability to carry and launch up to eight lorry-mounted missiles.
One of these radars is an all-weather, high-performance 360-degree surveillance radar which means the system can hit multiple targets simultaneously at a range of up to 40 kilometres and an altitude of 19km.
How much does the Iris-T SLM air defence system cost?
Each radar-guided battery comes at a cost of €140 million ($136m).
When Germany originally promised to send 11 batteries to Ukraine four months ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said these would “enable [Ukraine] to protect an entire city against Russian air raids”.
While the precise reason for the delay is unclear, the order went direct to Diehl which allegedly has been awaiting an export licence from Berlin, according to a report in the UK's Times newspaper.
What is the Nasams defence system?
This missile is the product of a joint enterprise between Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace and US weapons manufacturer Raytheon.
It is known for its use of the Raytheon Amraam missile but is also able to operate a range of guns and short and medium-range missiles and can be integrated with longer range systems such as the Iris-T SLM.
Like the Iris-T SLM, it can track and destroy a range of manned and unmanned aircraft and is calibrated to protect high-value assets and highly populous areas. The US uses Nasams to protect the White House and the Pentagon.
According to military news website Army Recognition: “The purpose of the Nasams multi-missile launcher is to transport, aim and fire missiles with different characteristics, all mounted on the same launch rail inside the protective canisters.”
Each battery comprises three or four AN/TPQ-36 surveillance, acquisition and tracking radar systems, nine truck-mounted missile launchers, each with six Amraam missiles, and three or four truck-mounted MSP 500 electro-optical sensors for visual target identification and raid size assessment.
The launcher can be remotely controlled from up to 25km and can fire the six Amraams at six different targets concurrently.
A total of 12 launchers in battalion configuration can fire up to 72 missiles in under 15 seconds.
What is the cost and when will the US send Nasams to Ukraine?
The cost of one Nasams battery is $23 million with one Amraam missile costs more than $1.2 million.
A US Department of Defence briefing in late September confirmed the US had yet to send any of the eight Nasams promised to Ukraine.
However, at the briefing a US general said two would be delivered within the next couple of months.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Monday to reiterate US support, but a date for delivery of the remaining six batteries is still to be established.
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Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
