Germany delivered the first IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine. This was announced on Twitter by the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov. “A new era of air defense has begun in Ukraine. IRIS-T from Germany is already here. American NASAMS on the way. This is just the beginning,” he writes.
The possibility of deliveries of IRIS-T became known back in June. After massive shelling on October 10, Germany announced that it would speed up the delivery of the first of four modern IRIS-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine. This was stated by German Defense Minister Christina Lambrecht. She noted that the remaining three systems will be delivered in 2023.
IRIS-T SLM air defense systems use GPS and INS navigation systems and receive constant target designations from a tracking station. They are also equipped with an infrared guidance system that allows you to track helicopters, aircraft, cruise and anti-ship missiles, as well as air-to-ground missiles.
On the morning of October 10, Russia launched a massive shelling of Ukraine. Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar, citing the General Staff, said that 83 missiles were fired at different cities, 43 of them were shot down by air defense systems. As a result of Russian shelling, 11 people were killed and 87 were injured.