Germany offers partners to transfer IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine to protect energy facilities
Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee Omid Nuripour said that Germany is negotiating with partner countries on the temporary transfer of IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine.
This was announced by the leader of the Green Party, Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee Omid Nuripour on the ZDF channel.
It is reported that Germany is discussing with partner countries the temporary transfer of IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine, a medium-range anti-aircraft missile system developed by the German company Diehl Defense in 2014 and designed to destroy cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.
“Of course, Ukraine needs more air defense systems. IRIS-T systems help protect cities, so it is important. The German government is also discussing this with partner countries that have received IRIS-T from Germany to see if they can at least temporarily transfer them to Ukraine,” Nuripur said.
The politician did not name the countries with which Germany is negotiating. However, it is known that in 2018 Germany sold four IRIS-T SLM systems to Egypt, and in 2021 Egypt ordered 16 additional systems. Also in 2019, Sweden received the first short-range IRIS-T SLS systems from Germany.
- On September 5, it became known that German arms manufacturer Diehl Defense is seeking to increase production of the IRIS-T air defense system to meet demand due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
- The first system arrived in Ukraine on October 12, and shortly afterwards, Scholz promised Ukraine three more air defense systems, “each capable of defending a large city.” During the first baptism of fire, the IRIS-T system shot down 100% of the targets.
