IRIS-T systems to be delivered to Ukraine by September, Germany’s top diplomat hopes

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expects that the IRIS-T air defense systems will be delivered to Ukraine either late August or early September.

The minister stated this in an interview with RFE/RL, Ukrinform reports.

"We are also delivering the IRIS-T air defense system. Well, I'm hoping for late summer, early September... And it's in the final stages of production; it was supposed to go to another country. Therefore, we had to agree with another country that they would move, that this system could be sent to Ukraine, and I really hope that we will be able to do this with more of these IRIS-T systems," the top diplomat said.

Read also: Three Mars II MLR systems, 10 PzH200, and five Gepards already in Ukraine - German defense ministry

As reported, according to the Air Force of Ukraine, with the weapons already available, the Ukrainian air defense is capable of successfully downing 50% of incoming cruise missiles, but more modern weapons are needed to destroy them more effectively.

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine