Germany Sends First IRIS-T Air Defense System to Ukraine
Against the background of massive rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities, the German Defense Ministry announced that it had sent the first IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine.
Here's What We Know
The relevant message was published on Twitter on the official page of the German Defense Ministry. The head of the Bundeswehr, Christine Lambrecht, said that the first of four IRIS-T air defense systems will be delivered within a few days.
Germany delivers the first of four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems to #Ukraine. The recent Russian #missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities shows how important the air defense capability for Ukraine's self-defense is.
- Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) October 10, 2022
Note that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive two IRIS-T systems by the end of the year, with two more to be delivered in early 2023. The deal with Diehl Defense was financed by the German government.
The IRIS-T system includes a tracked or wheeled launcher with Infra Red Imaging System Tail missiles and a TRML-4D radar. It has a maximum target engagement range of 40 km and an altitude of up to 20 km.
Source: @BMVg_Bundeswehr
