Germany on Monday promised Slovakia the Mantis system, which will strengthen its air defenses, Slovakia’s defense minister said, as quoted by AFP.

“This is a new air defense system that will protect eastern Slovakia,” Minister Jaroslav Nad said at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Christine Lambrecht in Bratislava on Monday.

“This is a short-range system designed to protect certain structures,” he added.

The details of the deal must now be worked out over the next few months.

Lambrecht, who began a two-day visit to Slovakia on Monday, said the Mantis could be used, among other things, to protect a recently commissioned German industrial maintenance base in Slovakia, where military equipment from Ukraine is repaired.

The base is located near the city of Michalovce in eastern Slovakia.

According to the German military, the Mantis has a range of up to three kilometers and can engage approaching targets at a rate of up to 1,000 rounds per minute. The system can be used against missiles, artillery shells, mortars or drones.

Germany has already decided, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to transfer two batteries of Patriot missiles to the city of Sljach in central Slovakia.

Both ministers also witnessed the delivery to Slovakia of the first Leopard 2 A4, which will replace the 30 BMPs that Slovakia handed over to Ukraine.

In addition to German tanks, Slovakia will also receive ammunition and spare parts. Germany will also provide training in the use of armored vehicles, said Nad.

Also on Wednesday, the Czech Republic will receive the first of 15 Leopard 2 A4 tanks from Germany in exchange for military aid to Ukraine.