Germany's Defense Ministry announced the transfer of two IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

Germany will provide Ukraine with two more IRIS-T air defense systems of short and medium range - SLM and SLS - as part of its defense assistance. The transfer is expected to occur by the end of this year.

This was announced by Major General Christian Freiding, head of the special staff for Ukraine at the German Ministry of Defense, as reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing Rp.pl.

According to the representative of the German defense ministry in a conversation with journalists in Kyiv, his country will deliver these air defense systems to Ukraine "within the coming days and weeks."

"The next IRIS-T SLM (medium range) and SLS (short range) systems should arrive in Ukraine in the coming days and weeks - by Christmas (December 25, - ed.)," he stated.

Freiding also emphasized that support for Ukraine from Germany "will continue after Christmas and after February 23 - the scheduled date for federal elections in Germany."

He also mentioned that in recent days, Germany has delivered artillery howitzers, tanks, and Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, as well as launched a program for strike drones.

Ukraine's Assistance from Germany

Germany is one of Ukraine's key partners in providing defense assistance following the onset of large-scale military aggression by the Russian Federation.

It was previously reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces received IRIS-T and Patriot air defense systems, anti-aircraft and artillery systems, Leopard tanks of various modifications, armored vehicles, drones, ammunition, and other types of weaponry from Germany.

Additionally, it was noted that on November 20, the German government announced that the country had prepared a new military aid package for Ukraine. This package includes howitzers, vehicles, and hundreds of drones.

Transfer of IRIS-T to Ukraine

Recall that on November 13, it became known that the sixth planned IRIS-T air defense system from Germany would arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year.

It is worth noting that IRIS-T is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system produced in Germany. It is one of the most advanced air defense systems in Germany, designed to destroy aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. For more details about IRIS-T, read our separate article.

Furthermore, in early September, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the transfer of an additional 17 IRIS-T systems to Ukraine, in addition to the seven that have already been received by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

For more information on how Ukrainian defenders can utilize the additional IRIS-T air defense systems, you can read this article from RBK-Ukraine.