>_For months, the German government has been holding out the prospect of a modern air defense system for Ukraine. Now, according to SPIEGEL information, the German Iris-T air defense weapon has been handed over to the Ukrainian military._
>Germany has handed over the first of four promised Iris-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine. According to information from SPIEGEL, the handover took place on Tuesday near the Polish-Ukrainian border.
>The German government is thus fulfilling a promise that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had already made to the Bundestag at the beginning of June. Most recently, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) held out the prospect of an early delivery on Monday. Originally, the first handover was scheduled for November.
>According to the German government, the weapon is Germany’s most advanced air defense system. It was developed by German defense contractor Diehl Defence, based in Überlingen on Lake Constance.
>The ground-based air defense system is primarily intended to protect the civilian population by repelling air attacks by the Russian army. According to Chancellor Scholz, it could also be used to protect major cities from air attacks.
>The recent Russian attacks in Ukraine show how urgently such protection is needed. In retaliation for the bomb explosion on the Crimean Bridge on Saturday, Russia had bombed Ukrainian cities nationwide on Monday. On Tuesday morning, Moscow continued its attacks, bombing mainly energy facilities in the west of the country.
>The Iris-T SLM air defense system consists of three vehicles: a launch pad on a military truck with space for eight missiles, a radar vehicle and a command vehicle. The air defense missiles can hit targets at altitudes of up to 20 kilometers and distances of up to 40 kilometers. Their range is thus significantly greater than that of shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles such as the Stinger anti-aircraft missiles also supplied by Germany to Ukraine.
>With the first Iris-T delivery, Ukraine is receiving a defense system that the Bundeswehr itself does not yet have. Actually, the first so-called fire unit was intended for Egypt, which has ordered several systems from Diehl Defence. Cairo has now handed over one system to Ukraine.
>Three more Iris-T systems are to be delivered to the Ukrainian war zone next year. Exactly when is still open; the anti-aircraft weapons have yet to be manufactured.
(Translated with deepl)
Best possible field test aswell.
In the end it hopefully is a win for everyone but russia.
First of four fresh units, almost a month ahead of schedule.
Should be good against cruise missiles.
One system certainly can’t make a gigantic difference in regards to the whole war. Yet psychologically and for the morale to deploy it in the capital in order to ensure the safety there? To create a heavily protected bubble, also for the R&R of soldiers? Certainly should have a positive effect.
Besides that – receiving a highly advanced air defense before even the armed forces of the country of origin should also be a demonstration of support.
5 comments
>_For months, the German government has been holding out the prospect of a modern air defense system for Ukraine. Now, according to SPIEGEL information, the German Iris-T air defense weapon has been handed over to the Ukrainian military._
>Germany has handed over the first of four promised Iris-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine. According to information from SPIEGEL, the handover took place on Tuesday near the Polish-Ukrainian border.
>The German government is thus fulfilling a promise that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had already made to the Bundestag at the beginning of June. Most recently, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) held out the prospect of an early delivery on Monday. Originally, the first handover was scheduled for November.
>According to the German government, the weapon is Germany’s most advanced air defense system. It was developed by German defense contractor Diehl Defence, based in Überlingen on Lake Constance.
>The ground-based air defense system is primarily intended to protect the civilian population by repelling air attacks by the Russian army. According to Chancellor Scholz, it could also be used to protect major cities from air attacks.
>The recent Russian attacks in Ukraine show how urgently such protection is needed. In retaliation for the bomb explosion on the Crimean Bridge on Saturday, Russia had bombed Ukrainian cities nationwide on Monday. On Tuesday morning, Moscow continued its attacks, bombing mainly energy facilities in the west of the country.
>The Iris-T SLM air defense system consists of three vehicles: a launch pad on a military truck with space for eight missiles, a radar vehicle and a command vehicle. The air defense missiles can hit targets at altitudes of up to 20 kilometers and distances of up to 40 kilometers. Their range is thus significantly greater than that of shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles such as the Stinger anti-aircraft missiles also supplied by Germany to Ukraine.
>With the first Iris-T delivery, Ukraine is receiving a defense system that the Bundeswehr itself does not yet have. Actually, the first so-called fire unit was intended for Egypt, which has ordered several systems from Diehl Defence. Cairo has now handed over one system to Ukraine.
>Three more Iris-T systems are to be delivered to the Ukrainian war zone next year. Exactly when is still open; the anti-aircraft weapons have yet to be manufactured.
(Translated with deepl)
Best possible field test aswell.
In the end it hopefully is a win for everyone but russia.
First of four fresh units, almost a month ahead of schedule.
Should be good against cruise missiles.
One system certainly can’t make a gigantic difference in regards to the whole war. Yet psychologically and for the morale to deploy it in the capital in order to ensure the safety there? To create a heavily protected bubble, also for the R&R of soldiers? Certainly should have a positive effect.
Besides that – receiving a highly advanced air defense before even the armed forces of the country of origin should also be a demonstration of support.