Germany plans to buy eight IRIS-T air defence systems for its military

Germany aims to purchase eight units of IRIS-T medium-range surface-to-air systems for its army, according to a document seen by Reuters on February 1.

The systems are reportedly estimated to cost 150 million euros ($163 million) apiece.

The German Defence Ministry’s paper, dated January 25, lists the defence deal as one of several planned purchases expected to be submitted for approval to parliament in the second quarter of 2023.

However, the Ministry declined to comment on the number of units and the exact timing.

In October 2022, Ukraine received the first of four IRIS-T air defence systems pledged by Germany to help Kyiv protect its cities from missile and drone attacks.

The systems’ fire units can launch missiles over a distance of 40 kilometres (25 miles) to shoot down fighter jets, helicopters, drones, missiles and cruise missiles.