Germany orders 17 more IRIS-T air defence systems for Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has confirmed the order of 17 additional IRIS-T air defence systems of various configurations for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As reported by Bloomberg, speaking at the German Air Force base, Scholz said that the purchase of six IRIS-T systems for the German Federal Defence Forces will play a key role in strengthening the European air defence initiative Sky Shield, which involves 21 countries.

Scholz also announced the order of 17 IRIS-T systems for Ukraine. The DPA agency specifies that these are eight medium-range (SLM) systems and nine short-range (SLS) systems. Four SLM and three SLS systems are already in Ukraine.

The German chancellor said that these systems have helped Ukrainian defenders shoot down more than 250 Russian missiles, various types of drones and saved many lives. Four of them, two medium– and two short-range systems, will be delivered by the end of this year, and the rest will be delivered next year, he promised.

"This shows that German support for Ukraine is not letting up," Scholz stressed.

In a comment to Bloomberg, the German official clarified that Ukraine will receive 24 IRIS-T systems from Germany by 2026: 12 medium-range and 12 short-range systems. 

Earlier, Reuters reported on the delivery of IRIS SLM-T systems in Ukraine.

Last month, Germany confirmed the delivery of an IRIS-T short-range air defence system to Kyiv.