Germany’s air‑defence pipeline to Kyiv keeps expanding.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Berlin Oleksiy Makeyev confirmed that seven IRIS‑T SLM systems are now on combat duty, while an eighth unit is being readied for shipment.
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IRIS‑T SLM: high‑altitude, 40 km‑range interceptors built by Diehl Defence
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Gepard SPAAGs: more than 60 delivered—front‑line troops credit them with a high kill‑rate against Shahed‑type drones
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Skynex battery: already deployed and “showing excellent results,” Makeyev noted
Next steps: joint production and additional Patriots
Berlin and Kyiv have begun technical talks on local assembly of further IRIS‑T units and other air‑defence components inside Ukraine, the ambassador revealed.
Germany has also offered to transfer two additional Patriot batteries—once backfilled by allies—to reinforce Ukraine’s long‑range shield.
Bottom line: Berlin is evolving from supplier to strategic industrial partner, ensuring Ukraine’s skies stay protected while seeding a future co‑production base for advanced European air‑defence technology.
