Germany Sends 17 New IRIS-T Systems to Ukraine Amid Russian Attacks

Germany has ordered 17 new IRIST-T air defense systems (ADS) for Kyiv, the single biggest ADS commitment to date as Russia continues to pound Ukraine with its superior missiles and control over airspace..

Western allies partly addressed Ukraine's urgent calls for more air defenses following devastating attacks on Kharkiv, Poltava, Lviv, and a major children's hospital.

"Russia continues to wage a cowardly war against civilians, which constitutes war crimes." President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X, reacting to the Russian attack across Ukraine that killed seven people and injured nearly 50 on Aug. 26, using a total of 236 missiles and drones.

Berlin’s April initiative to bolster Ukraine’s air defense has made Germany a key supplier of such systems.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Sept. 4 the addition of 17 more IRIS-T systems, stating, “This shows that German support for Ukraine is unwavering.” Scholz noted that the seven IRIS-T systems already in use have downed over 250 Russian missiles and drones.

Experts told the Kyiv Independent that, while the IRIS-Ts are a welcome addition, they cannot defend against the growing threat of Iranian ballistic missiles.