Germany will supply Ukraine with 11 more IRIS‑T SLM air‑defence systems, adding to the seven already handed over, Ukraine’s ambassador in Berlin Oleksii Makeiev has confirmed.
Key points
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Total order | 18 IRIS‑T SLM batteries (each with 3 medium‑range and 2 short‑range launchers). |
| Delivered so far | 7 systems are already shielding Ukrainian skies. |
| Pending deliveries | 11 additional units are in production at Diehl Defence for phased hand‑over. |
| Patriot hunt | Germany aims to secure 5–10 Patriot batteries for Kyiv, via new U.S. purchases and potential on‑hand transfers from European allies. |
“Five Patriot systems is the public target, but in reality we need ten or more, and Germany is helping us rally European partners to reach that number,” Makeiev told German media.
Why this matters
-
Layered defence – Combining IRIS‑T’s 40 km envelope with Patriot’s long‑range capabilities creates a multi‑tier shield against Russian missiles and Shahed drones.
-
European leadership – Berlin has financed or brokered most of Ukraine’s Western‑built air‑defence gear, including 60+ Gepard SPAAGs and the first Skynex battery.
-
Industrial ramp‑up – All 18 IRIS‑T units are new‑build, keeping Diehl’s production lines running at wartime tempo through 2026.
Further allocations will depend on follow‑on contracts and whether partner nations agree to re‑deploy existing Patriot systems to Ukraine.
