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Ukraine Preparing to Arm F-16 Fighters With German IRIS-T Missiles
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Ukraine is preparing to equip its F-16 fighter jets with German-made IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles, according to statements by senior executives at Diehl Defence during the ILA Berlin Air Show.
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Cited by FlightGlobal on June 15, Diehl Defence Chief Programme Officer Harald Bushek said the company is working toward integrating the missile with Ukraine’s Western-supplied fighters.
“The [Ukrainian air force’s] F-16s will be equipped most likely – this is what we are currently preparing – with our IRIS-T,” Bushek said during the event, without providing additional details on the timeline or scope of the effort.
The development would expand the air-to-air capabilities of Ukraine’s F-16 fleet, which has primarily been observed carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. According to aviation analytics company Cirium, Ukraine currently operates 21 active F-16s.
IRIS-T is an infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missile developed by a consortium led by Germany. According to FlightGlobal, more than 5,000 missiles have been produced and delivered worldwide. The weapon is already integrated with multiple aircraft types, including the F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Panavia Tornado, Boeing F/A-18, and South Korea’s KF-21.
The missile is not new to Ukraine’s military. Ukrainian forces have been using ground-launched IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM air defense systems since late 2022. According to FlightGlobal, Ukraine has received 10 firing systems with more than 40 launchers.
Speaking at the same event, Diehl Defence Chief Executive Helmut Rausch highlighted the performance of the IRIS-T-based air defense systems currently operating in Ukraine.
“We have a hit rate of more than 95%. What is also very important for the customer is that we are delivering missiles every month, continuously.”
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Rausch said the systems are regularly used against Russian cruise missiles and attack drones, while Bushek added that feedback from Ukraine has been positive. “The feedback we get from Ukraine is that they are very satisfied.”
The potential integration may be particularly relevant for aircraft transferred from Norway. Norwegian F-16s were previously modified to operate IRIS-T missiles, replacing older AIM-9L Sidewinders. Norway has pledged six F-16s to Ukraine, while additional aircraft have reportedly been transferred for spare parts, training, or other support purposes.
Earlier, Ukrainian defense company Fire Point unveiled the FP-7.x Freya interceptor project, a domestically developed anti-ballistic missile designed to counter threats such as Russia’s Iskander-M. The concept combines existing Western radar, command-and-control, and guidance technologies to create a faster and potentially more affordable alternative to scarce Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors.
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