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Germany’s IRIS-T Network in Ukraine Set to Triple With New Order
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine has ordered 18 additional IRIS-T air defense systems from Germany’s Diehl Defence, expanding a network that has played a key role in protecting Ukrainian cities from missile and drone attacks, with the order confirmed by Diehl Defence Chief Executive Helmut Rauch, according to German media Deutsche Welle on January 23.
Rauch said Ukraine currently operates nine IRIS-T firing units and is seeking to add significantly more.
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“At the moment, nine IRIS-T firing units are in operation in Ukraine, and there is interest in additional units,” Rauch said, as quoted by Reuters.
Diehl Defence plans to substantially increase production of firing units for the IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS air defense systems, Rauch said.
“In the medium term, we plan to expand production to 16 firing units—roughly within two years. If we see greater demand from our customers, we can increase production even further,” he said.
Erste Aufnahmen des Abschuss einer 🇩🇪 IRIS-T SLM Flugabwehr Rakete in der Ukraine 🇺🇦. Die Aufnahmen wurden erst jetzt veröffentlicht, und scheinen aus dem Winter zu stammen. (Schnee) #SlavaUkraïni 🇺🇦
— @BrennpunktUA 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@BrennpunktUA) May 4, 2023
🇩🇪🤝🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/2ixKhlJtF2
The company expects to manufacture up to 10 firing units this year, marking a significant ramp-up compared with previous output levels.
In parallel, Diehl Defence is developing a new missile variant, the IRIS-T SLX, which is expected to have a range of up to 80 kilometers.
Rauch said Germany has expressed interest in the missile, while Egypt has already placed an order. Serial production of the IRIS-T SLX is currently planned for 2029.
The expanded IRIS-T production effort reflects growing demand across Europe and beyond, as countries seek to strengthen air defenses in response to sustained missile and drone threats linked to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine brought two additional Patriot air defense systems into service to help protect cities and critical infrastructure.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
