Germany intends to buy eight IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile systems for its army, according to a document seen by Reuters. The IRIS-Ts are the same medium-range air defense systems that Berlin recently donated to Ukraine, but which it has not yet replaced with new ones after giving them to Kyiv.
In the Defense Ministry document, dated January 25 and seen by Reuters today, the deal to acquire this weaponry is listed as one of several planned arms purchases expected to be submitted to parliament for approval in the second quarter of the year. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the department does intend to submit a proposal for the purchase of IRIS-T, but did not want to comment on the number of systems and the time frame in which they will be acquired.
In October, Ukraine received the first batch of four IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile systems promised to it by Germany to protect the skies of its cities from missile and drone attacks.
The unit cost of these systems is 150 million euros. They are produced by the private German arms manufacturer “Diehl” and are considered one of the most advanced in the world. The launchers can launch missiles at a distance of up to 40 km and can be used to shoot down fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and missiles, including cruise missiles, BTA informs.
Also in the second quarter of the year, the Ministry of Defense intends to submit to the parliament for approval contracts for the replacement of the howitzers and the corresponding 155-mm shells for them, which Germany provided to Ukraine from the warehouses of the Bundeswehr, with new ones, the document adds. It notes that the examination of some of the listed purchases can also take place in July before the deputies go on summer vacation.
