Germany confirms delivery of additional IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine.

Kyiv received another IRIS-T air defense system from Berlin on May 24th. This information was confirmed by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on X/Twitter.

"We have once again delivered the IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS combined fire units to Ukraine – a very modern and proven medium- and short-range air defense system, directly from German industrial production," Pistorius said.

Ukraine has requested additional air defense systems from its international partners as it grapples with escalating Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure since March.

The Western European country previously supplied Ukraine with IRIS-T air defense systems, including three IRIS-T SLM systems with a range of up to 40 km and one IRIS-T SLS system with a range of 12 km.

According to Der Spiegel, Berlin has pledged to send Ukraine nine IRIS-T SLM and eleven IRIS-T SLS systems manufactured by the German company Diehl Defense.

Along with the recently delivered Patriot system (manufactured in the US), Germany is strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities in the defensive battle against Russian forces, Minister Pistorius added.

Last week, a German official stated that Berlin would supply Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems, without specifying a delivery date. Since then, there has been no official announcement regarding further Patriot deliveries.

The IRIS-T air defense systems are manufactured by the German company Diehl Defense. Photo: Diehl Defense

Overcoming initial hesitation, Berlin became Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the United States. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz remained reluctant to provide some key capabilities, specifically Taurus long-range missiles.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his country needs 25 Patriot systems to protect itself from Russian attacks. Air defense systems like Patriot and IRIS-T are highly effective in intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles from Moscow.

Each IRIS-T high-tech air defense system includes truck-mounted launchers, missiles, a radar unit, and a separate command vehicle.

It is designed to protect cities, military personnel, and civilians from aerial attacks, capable of defending against aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and loitering munitions .

Minh Duc (According to Kyiv Independent, DW)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/duc-xac-nhan-chuyen-giao-them-he-thong-phong-khong-iris-t-cho-ukraine-a665311.html