Germany plans to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.

Bloomberg sources share that the new systems will help protect grain shipments from potential Russian attacks.

Germany will transfer one extra IRIS-T air defense system and “more than a dozen” (12) Gepard anti-aircraft guns.

“The additional IRIS-T and Gepard will help protect shipments traveling to Romania along the country’s southern coast,” the statement reads.

The air defense systems are expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of this year, with further deliveries of IRIS-T to follow as soon as they are produced.

German MP Markus Faber, who is a member of the defense committee of the lower house of the Bundestag, confirmed that Ukraine will receive more IRIS-T systems, Gepard systems, and ammunition.

“Ukraine will use that equipment to better protect its grain ports, for example,” Faber stated without providing details.

Production of IRIS-T

The development of IRIS-T takes a lot of time, and different companies are involved in the creation of the system.

Diehl Defence is the general contractor and system integrator for IRIS-T SLM. It is delivering the launcher along with the missiles.

Germany’s Hensoldt contributes to the multifunctional radar TRML-4D.

The Spanish SENER Aeroespacial is also involved in the IRIS-T programs.

The company manufactures control sections and wings for IRIS-T air-to-air missiles and develops control sections for IRIS-T SL surface-to-air missiles.