Germany to provide IRIS-T system to Ukraine, supply additional air defense systems by next year
Europe, News November 15, 2024 1 Comment on Germany to provide IRIS-T system to Ukraine, supply additional air defense systems by next year3 minute read
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced his country’s plan to provide Ukraine with the sixth IRIS-T air defense system by the end of this year. Germany also plans to supply additional air defense systems and military support to Ukraine by 2025.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz on November 13, 2024, and thanked him for the significant military support from Germany and its leadership in uniting partners’ efforts to help Ukraine.
Both leaders discussed the delivery of the IRIS-T air defense system and air defense assistance for Ukraine. According to the Presidential of Ukraine, “The leaders focused on other efforts needed to ensure the best possible defense and political support for Ukraine; they also coordinated joint steps for the near future”.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s vision for a just and lasting peace needs to be presented at the G20 Summit in Brazil and thanked Germany for its commitment to supporting Ukraine in this effort.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who visited Kyiv. During the visit, Borrell announced the European Union initiative to provide 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy also discussed ways to increase military assistance for Ukraine, as well as lifting restrictions on strikes against military targets on Russian territory, unblocking support through the European Peace Facility, and completing all procedures to provide Ukraine with $50 billion, in line with the G7 decision.
IRIS-T air defense system
The IRIS-T SLM, a surface-to-air guided missile system developed for the German Tactical Air Defense, boasts an improved rocket motor for increased range. It offers comprehensive defense against a variety of threats and is designed for easy integration into existing and forthcoming air defense networks, enhancing flexibility and protection capabilities.
IRIS-T air defense system has a range of about 40 kilometers and 360-degree aerial attack detection capabilities. The defense system was first introduced in 2014. According to Diehl, the system is most effective as part of a “layered air defense,” combined with the U.S.-made Patriot PAC-3 missile defense system, which has a higher altitude air defense system.
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, only a few Western nations had purchased the system, reflecting a common trend after the Cold War to scale down air defenses believing the threat had largely diminished. Demand for German-made weapons particularly the IRIS-T air defense systems increased dramatically following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Kyiv and many other European countries started to upgrade and modernize their arsenals.
As a medium-range air defense system, the IRIS-T has its weaknesses against more powerful arms. The air defense system is powerless against Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missiles as this threat requires a more powerful antidote, such as the U.S.-made Patriot system.
IRIS-T manufacturer Diehl’s Chief Program Officer Harald Buschek claimed in September 2023 that Ukraine had shot down more than 110 targets, most of these being cruise missiles such as the Kalibr, using the IRIS-T air defense system. Buschek said that the IRIS-T has an almost 100% success rate in Ukraine.
German defense firm Diehl aims to build at least eight new systems by the end of 2025 and will produce three to four systems each year following that. The German defense firm also plans to increase the missile production for the IRIS-T system and is expected to produce 400 to 500 missiles each year from 2024
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