Ukraine to receive latest air defence systems from Germany Ambassador’s statement

Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk has said that Germany will provide Ukraine with the latest anti-aircraft missiles, which the German army does not have yet.

“The Ukrainian side is working with Germany in connection with the supplies in the short and medium-term,” RBC-Ukraine reports with reference to Melnyk’s interview.

“In particular, I hope for Berlin’s support in the purchase of 10 IRIS-T air defence systems, which are considered one of the strongest ones in the world and can ensure safety for Ukraine over the next years,” the ambassador noted.

He stressed that the diplomats managed, in close behind-the-scenes cooperation with Diehl Defence company, to overcome political resistance and achieve concluding a contract for the purchase of the first such system worth €178 million at the expense of the German government.

“We express gratitude to Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz. By the way, even the Bundeswehr [armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany] does not have such air defence systems yet,” Melnyk added.

According to the German media, the matter rests in the supply of the IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence systems. The system can hit air targets at a distance of up to 40 kilometres through a large missile and thanks to radar guidance. The radar station detects targets within a radius of 250 kilometres.