Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Germany delivered a new launcher for the IRIS-T air defense missile system to Ukraine yesterday, May 30.
He announced this on social media.
"Yesterday we received a new IRIS-T launcher. We thank Germany for its ongoing contribution to protecting people. Thousands and thousands of lives have been saved thanks to such strong support. But we also need missiles for our air defense systems to have sufficient capabilities to repel Russian attacks," the President said.
As a reminder, IRIS-T is a modern air defense missile system designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. It is manufactured by the German company Diehl Defense.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy highlighted the intensity of russian shelling, noting that this week alone, the enemy launched over 2,300 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 108 missiles of various types.
He also reported on significant agreements with Sweden — a new support package, specifically to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Forces with Gripen fighter jets. Additionally, new contributions are available this year under the PURL program.
He emphasized that anti-ballistic defense is currently a key priority for Ukraine.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Forces, stated on May 8 that Ukraine’s stockpiles of air defense missiles have been depleted following russia’s large-scale winter attacks. Air Forces representatives are constantly working in negotiating groups, where they have to request even just a few missiles for the PAC-3, NASAMS, IRIS-T, and other systems, as ammunition consumption is very high.
Earlier reports indicated that Ukraine would purchase 20 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden for EUR 2.5 billion, to be funded by a European Union loan.
In addition, the Swedish company Saab, which manufactures the Gripen fighter jets, is considering opening a plant in Canada to produce and export aircraft for Ukraine.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.