Spain to send Ukraine scarce IRIS-T air defense missiles, Zelenskyy says
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (Getty Images)
As part of a new military aid package, Spain will provide Ukraine with missiles for IRIS-T air defense batteries, a type of weapon currently in short supply, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The President emphasized that Ukraine and Spain are ready for joint production of precision weapons.
Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to Spain for the new defense aid package.
"This includes air defense missiles. We have a severe shortage of them, especially during winter. In this case, the specific package includes 40 missiles for IRIS-T air defense systems," the President said.
He added that, overall, the new package provides Ukraine with weapons worth 300 million euros. This is a significant contribution.
The importance of air defense for Ukraine
Amid falling temperatures, Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
To repel these constant attacks, Ukrainian forces need more air defense systems and missiles.
On November 2, President Zelenskyy announced that Germany had delivered additional Patriot systems, critically needed to destroy Russian ballistic missiles.
On October 15, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said his country would provide Ukraine with 2 billion euros worth of weapons.
This includes the delivery of two IRIS-T air defense systems.
According to unofficial reports, as of August this year, Germany had already supplied Ukraine with eight IRIS-T batteries. German and Ukrainian officials have not disclosed the exact number.
