Germany sending first IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine

Germany is sending the first of the four newest IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, Germany's Ministry of Defense said this on its Twitter account.

"Germany delivers the first of four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine. The recent Russian missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities shows how important the air defense capability for Ukraine's self-defense is," the tweet reads.

IRIS-T SLM is a land-based air defense system developed by Diehl Defense with modified short-range guided missiles. It can hit aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, jet artillery, drones, anti-radar missiles and bombs.