As part of a new military aid package, the German government handed over the IRIS-T SLS short-range air defense system to Ukraine.

The relevant information appeared on the official website of the German government.

In addition, Ukraine received artillery shells, various types of drones and assault and precision rifles.

The German military aid package for Ukraine includes:

• IRIS-T SLS air defense system;
• 14 thousand 155-mm ammunition rounds;
• 10 unmanned surface vessels;
• 26 Vector reconnaissance drones with spare parts;
• material for explosive ordnance disposal;
• 6 High Mobility Engineer Excavators;
• Bergepanzer 2 armored recovery vehicle with spare parts;
• 55 thousand first aid kits;
• 700 MK 556 assault rifles;
• 10 HLR 338 precision rifles with ammunition;
• 50 CR 308 rifles.

Previously, Germany announced military aid for Ukraine, which will be delivered until the end of 2024.

The main focus of this assistance will be to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems, as well as additional artillery systems, firearms, drones, tanks, armored vehicles, etc.

In total, two medium-range IRIS-T SLM batteries and two short-range IRIS-T SLS batteries are planned to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year. Also, 10 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns armed with two 35 mm cannons will arrive.

In addition to air defense systems, about 30 Leopard 1A5 tanks are expected, which are currently being restored by Rheinmetall specialists. Also, 400 armored MRAP vehicles of an unknown model have been allocated.

The artillery systems will be supplied in the form of 12 PzH-2000 tracked self-propelled artillery systems, as well as four Zuzana 2 wheeled self-propelled artillery howitzers, as part of military aid jointly funded by Denmark, Norway and Germany.

IRIS-T SLS

Ukraine received the first IRIS-T SLS short-range air defense systems from Germany in August last year.

The system is designed to destroy cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs. The IRIS-T SLS is capable of intercepting aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 12 kilometers and at an altitude of up to 8 kilometers.

The self-propelled air defense system is mounted on the tracked chassis of the BvS10 all-terrain armored vehicle, but it can also be mounted on a wheeled chassis. The system is based on an IRIS-T missile with an infrared homing head that has been modernized for ground launch.