More than 100 military units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces have already joined the initiative, having destroyed over 17,000 reconnaissance and…
Ukraine continues to strengthen its air defense system thanks to international support. Germany has already transferred the ninth modern IRIS-T surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine. This was previously reported by Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal.
This was reported on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense recalled that IRIS-T is a modern German-made air defense missile system developed by Diehl Defense. It is designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles.
The high-tech IRIS-T missiles are capable of active maneuvering and engaging targets both on head-on courses and during pursuit. They are equipped with highly sensitive infrared homing heads, allowing them to effectively distinguish real aerial targets from decoys and overcome the protection systems of modern aircraft.
Currently, two types of IRIS-T systems are in use in Ukraine:
- IRIS-T SLS — short-range, with an engagement range of up to 12 km and altitude up to 8 km;
- IRIS-T SLM — medium-range, with an engagement range of up to 40 km and altitude up to 20 km.
IRIS-T systems are integrated into Ukraine’s unified air defense system and operate in coordination with other air and missile defense assets.
The Ministry of Defense also recalled that on December 17, Denys Shmyhal reported the signing of a number of new agreements with German partners totaling over €1.2 billion.
Under the agreements reached by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Germany committed to allocate €11.5 billion in support of Ukraine in 2026.
