Germany and Sweden in talks over IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine – media

Germany and Sweden are in talks over a new military aid package to Ukraine.

According to it, Sweden will provide air defense missiles and launchers for IRIS-T systems.

Bloomberg reported about this with reference to its own sources.

The article says that Germany has asked Sweden to provide launchers for an IRIS-T compatible anti-missile system.

Additional launchers are needed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense against the background of constant Russian air attacks with cruise missiles and kamikaze drones.

The publication notes that the negotiations between the two countries may also refer to the shipment of more missiles for the IRIS-T systems transferred to Kyiv.

It is also emphasized that Berlin is sticking to a plan to deliver three more IRIS-T units to Kyiv in 2023 in addition to the first, which arrived in Ukraine in October 2022. Germany also plans to purchase eight IRIS-T systems for its military.

The press services of the Swedish Ministry of Defence and the German Ministry of Defense have not commented on this information.

As previously reported in November of last year, Sweden will provide Ukraine with the largest package of military assistance since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The 3 billion kroner ($287 million) aid package contains air defense systems along with ammunition and other weapons that Ukraine has requested.

Currently, the Swedish Ground Forces use the IRIS-T SLS mobile air defense system.

This system uses air-to-air missiles adapted for use from ground launchers on the Bv 410 tracked chassis.