Slovak air-defence system tested in Ukraine

The aforementioned air-defence system is a dual-purpose solution: thanks to its Mangart 25 turret module it can successfully engage both aerial and ground targets. Together with editor Antoni Walkowski I had the opportunity to see it at IDET 2025. There it fitted a strong trend of counter-drone solutions based on gun-mounted weapons such as machine guns or small-caliber cannons. 

Shortly after the fair, in the second half of June, DefTech announced that the system had been sent to Ukraine for field testing by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Initial assessments by Ukrainian soldiers were said to be positive, and the company expected to receive an order for the product in the near future. That would make it another very short-range air-defense or anti-drone system chosen by Ukraine. What would set it apart, however, is its ability to effectively neutralize ground targets, including armoured vehicles.  

It is worth noting that the system’s 25 mm Oerlikon KBA autocannon can fire a wide variety of ammunition. These include not only classic armour-piercing rounds (capable, for example, of successfully defeating Russian APCs), but also high-explosive fragmentation rounds with a proximity fuse, specially adapted for destroying drones (the fragment lethal radius is roughly 1.5 metres). There is also armor-piercing incendiary ammunition.  

A little later, in early August, the company released new photos of the system, mentioning that it had passed tests in Ukraine positively and claiming that it had already been put into service with the Ukrainian army. It is not known how many vehicles were sold. The company mentions interest from additional export customers, though none were named. Possibly, in time the Slovak Army may also decide to acquire it.  

The Wolf 25 AD is a Slovak air-defence system developed by DefTech. It can engage aerial (and ground) targets out to 3,000 metres with a 25 mm Oerlikon KBA autocannon mounted in the unmanned Mangart 25 turret system from Slovenian firm Valhalla Turrets. It is paired with a universal FN MAG 7.62 mm machine gun. The system’s combat loadout can be supplemented with anti-tank guided missiles (mounted in dual launchers), unguided/guided 70 mm rockets, very-short-range anti-air missiles, loitering munitions, or an additional machine gun.     

Target detection is handled by an AESA radar (operating in the S-band) mounted on the vehicle roof, though it is not part of the turret itself. It can track up to 150 potential targets simultaneously at ranges of up to 20 km (fighters), 12 km (hovering helicopters), 10 km (cruise missiles and large UAVs), 8 km (loitering munitions), or 5 km (micro-class drones). The system is also reported to include equipment for conducting EW (electronic warfare) operations. The system is based on the Wolf 4x4 armored vehicle, powered by a 6.7-litre turbocharged Cummins diesel engine coupled to a 6-speed Allison transmission.