Ukraine has ordered 18 IRIS-T air defense systems from the German defense company Diehl Defence. This information was confirmed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Helmut Rauch. The announcement was reported by Deutsche Welle and later shared by Ukrainian media.
At the moment, Ukraine already operates nine IRIS-T firing units. These systems are part of the country’s air defense network, which is used to protect cities and critical infrastructure from aerial threats. According to Diehl Defence, Ukraine has shown strong interest in expanding its use of these systems, which led to the new order.
The IRIS-T system is a modern air defense solution designed to intercept aircraft, drones, and missiles. It is produced in Germany and has been supplied to Ukraine as part of international military support. The new order of 18 systems shows Ukraine’s continued focus on strengthening its air defense capabilities.
Current Use of IRIS-T Systems in Ukraine
Helmut Rauch stated that nine IRIS-T firing units are currently in operation in Ukraine. These systems are already being used by Ukraine’s air defense forces. Rauch said that Ukraine is interested in receiving additional firing units to improve coverage and effectiveness.
The IRIS-T air defense system exists in different versions, including IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS. Both versions are designed for short- and medium-range air defense. Diehl Defence is responsible for manufacturing the firing units and related components.
Rauch also explained that Diehl Defence plans to increase production capacity. In the medium term, the company aims to expand production to 16 firing units within about two years. This plan depends on demand from customers. If demand increases further, the company said it can raise production even more.
For the current year, Diehl Defence plans to produce up to ten firing units. This production plan includes systems intended for existing customers as well as new orders. The company did not specify how many of the systems produced this year would be delivered to Ukraine.
New Missile Development and Future Production Plans
In addition to current production, Diehl Defence is working on the development of a new missile called the IRIS-T SLX. According to Helmut Rauch, this missile will have a range of up to 80 kilometers. This would make it suitable for longer-range air defense missions compared to existing variants.
Rauch said that Germany has shown interest in the IRIS-T SLX missile. He also confirmed that Egypt has already placed an order for this missile. The IRIS-T SLX is still under development and is not yet in mass production.
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Serial production of the IRIS-T SLX missile is expected to begin in 2029. Until then, Diehl Defence will continue development and preparation for manufacturing. No delivery timelines were announced for Ukraine regarding this specific missile.
Ukraine’s air defense forces already operate nine modern IRIS-T missile systems, and the newly ordered 18 systems will expand this capability in the future. The announcement reflects ongoing cooperation between Ukraine and German defense industry partners, as well as continued efforts to strengthen air defense through modern technology.