{"id":29725,"date":"2025-06-14T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T21:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=29725"},"modified":"2025-06-13T22:41:37","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T19:41:37","slug":"germany-to-deliver-iris-t-air-defense-systems-to-ukraine-pledges-10-billion-in-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/germany-to-deliver-iris-t-air-defense-systems-to-ukraine-pledges-10-billion-in-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany to deliver IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine, pledges $10 billion in aid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

6 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Germany will deliver more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a comprehensive three-year supply plan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in Kyiv on June 12, 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new commitment comes as Russia intensifies its missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, including one of the largest aerial assaults on Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are grateful for the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems,” Zelenskyy said. “We understand that deliveries are currently being planned for the next three years. This is very important assistance,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelenskyy noted, \u201cThis is very important assistance\u201d for Ukraine, as the country is struggling to defend its skies and hold its ground amid relentless Russian attacks. Germany\u2019s long-term support offers both practical defense and a powerful political signal of enduring European solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


IRIS-T SLM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IRIS-T SLM is a German-made medium-range surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft, and has been a cornerstone of Ukraine’s defense strategy against Russia\u2019s continued aerial onslaught.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pistorius confirmed the timeline for the delivery but made it clear that Germany would not provide the highly sought-after Taurus long-range missiles, which Ukraine has repeatedly requested to target key military infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Germany<\/a>
Ukraine received the IRIS-T air defense system from Germany. (Image Credit: Twitter\/@DefenceU)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

“You asked me whether we are considering this, and my answer is no,” Pistorius stated firmly, shutting down months of speculation around a possible policy shift in Berlin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has been reliant on military and financial assistance from Western allies. Air defense systems have taken center stage in this support structure due to Russia\u2019s persistent use of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones targeting civilian infrastructure and urban centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Leading military backing for Ukraine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Germany has emerged as Ukraine’s leading military backer in Europe. According to government data, Berlin has provided over $55.5 billion in aid since the beginning of the war, of which $18 billion was military assistance as of April 30. Only the United States has contributed more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany has signaled a more assertive defense policy. While Merz had earlier expressed openness to revisiting Scholz\u2019s ban on the Taurus missiles, Pistorius\u2019s remarks indicate that this stance has yet to translate into a change in policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


$10 billion in aid and joint production projects<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his remarks, Pistorius also announced that Germany would provide $10.4 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2025. Of this, $2.2 billion will go toward joint defense production projects between German and Ukrainian firms. The collaboration aims to combine Germany’s funding and manufacturing capabilities with Ukraine\u2019s battlefield-hardened innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the Federal Minister of Defense of Germany, Boris Pistorius, is visiting Ukraine for the fifth time.

We had a detailed discussion on our cooperation. Agreements have been reached on additional investments in the defense industry \u2013 both in Ukraine and in Germany. This\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/EjCwl5uzZN<\/a><\/p>— Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) June 12, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>