German Ministry of Defense announces transfer of 2 IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by end of year
Ukraine will receive additional IRIS-T systems from Germany by the end of 2024 (photo: armyinform_com_ua)
Germany will provide Ukraine with two more IRIS-T air defense systems for short and medium-range – SLM and SLS – as part of its defensive assistance. The transfer is expected to take place by the end of this year, states Major General Christian Freuding, head of the Bundeswehr's Situation Center Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defence.
According to a representative of the German Ministry of Defense in an interview with journalists in Kyiv, Germany will deliver the air defense systems to Ukraine within the next days and weeks.
"The next IRIS-T SLM (medium-range) and SLS (short-range) systems should arrive in Ukraine in the coming days and weeks, before Christmas," he said.
Freuding emphasized that Germany's support for Ukraine will continue after Christmas and after February 23 – the planned date of the federal elections in Germany.
He also mentioned that in recent days, Germany has supplied Ukraine with artillery howitzers, tanks, and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and has launched a program for strike drones.
Germany's aid to Ukraine
Germany has been one of Ukraine's key partners in providing defense assistance since the start of Russia's full-scale military aggression.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine's Defense Forces received from Germany IRIS-T and Patriot air defense systems, anti-aircraft and artillery systems, armored vehicles, Leopard tanks of various modifications, drones, ammunition, and other types of weaponry.
It was also reported that on November 20, the German government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes howitzers, vehicles, and hundreds of drones.
Transfer of IRIS-T systems to Ukraine
On November 13, it was announced that the sixth of the planned IRIS-T air defense systems from Germany would arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year.
IRIS-T is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system produced by Germany. It is one of the most advanced air defense systems in the country, designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles.
Additionally, in early September, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the transfer of another 17 IRIS-T systems to Ukraine, bringing the total to seven systems already received by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
For more information on how Ukrainian defenders can use the additional IRIS-T air defense systems, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
