Ukraine's Air Force received another fire unit (battery) of German Iris-T SLM medium-range SAM systems. It already entered service and went on combat duty protecting Ukrainian skies.
German Aid to Ukraine reports this citing own sources. It is noted this is already second Iris-T SLM transferred to Ukraine in 2026 and 11th overall in Defense Forces arsenal.
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Also by end of this year, Armed Forces should receive one more battery of these German air defense systems. Thus 2026 deliveries will comprise 3 units, matching 2025 level.
Defense Express notes each additional Iris-T SLM delivery gives Defense Forces another asset for intercepting aerial targets at range up to 40 km and altitude up to 20 km. Meaning it can shoot down russian jet drones flying at high altitude, where unreachable for many conventional counter-UAV assets.
Also each battery includes at minimum 2 Iris-T SLS launchers, capable of shooting down threats at altitude up to 6 km and range up to 12 km. However worth remembering this increases surface-to-air missile consumption and need for greater stock replenishment.
Currently manufacturer Diehl Defence actively works on increasing Iris-T family missile production. This will be ensured including thanks to Ukraine ordering several thousand missiles using EU loan funds.
Recall second Iris-T SLM in 2025 arrived to Armed Forces in August. At same time last year deliveries were accelerated thanks to Estonia, which agreed to transfer battery designated for it in exchange for receiving later.
Also worth noting Germany wanted to transfer Armed Forces 4 Diehl Defence air defense system batteries instead of 3, but this did not prove possible. According to currently available information, overall Ukraine should receive 18 Iris-T SLM SAM systems.
Read more: Ukrainian Air Defense Shows Interceptions of Jet-Powered russian Drones Near Front Line (Video)
