German firm Diehl Defence has received a 2.2-billion-euro ($2.5 billion) contract to deliver IRIS-T missile systems and related warheads to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The deal, confirmed by Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, includes four complete sets of the surface-launched weapons accompanied by their dedicated command centers, mobile launchers, and radars.
Once deployed, they will be used to neutralize threats such as cruise missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems.
Depending on its configuration, the IRIS-T can neutralize threats from 25 to 100 kilometers (16 to 62 miles) away at a speed of up to Mach 3 (3,704 kilometers/2,302 miles per hour) and an altitude of 20,000 meters (65,617 feet).
The capabilities will join other IRIS-T platforms that have been inducted into the military and played a critical role in Kyiv’s defense amid the Russian invasion.
As of November 2024, Ukraine had six IRIS-Ts in its inventory. The country is set to receive 17 more from Diehl by 2026 as part of previous contracts and can increase the order three times.
The Überlingen-based company has ramped up production capacity to meet rising demand in Ukraine and with other international partners.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners for their leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine,” Umerov stated.
“This aid is not only about weaponry, but also about trust, shared responsibility, and joint efforts to ensure the security of all of Europe.”
Joint Arms Production, Military Aid
The latest IRIS-T contract was revealed during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin in May.
At the event, Merz reaffirmed its support for Kyiv’s resistance against Moscow’s aggression by announcing a joint project to develop “new long-range weapons that can hit targets well inside Russian territory.”
“There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory,” Merz remarked at the meeting.
This bilateral cooperation follows a $3.25-billion military aid package that the NATO country earmarked for Ukraine on top of 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in assistance for fiscal year 2025. Another 8.3 billion euros ($9.4 billion) is planned from 2026 to 2029.
“This means contracts with the German defense industry will now be signed for the future — a significant step toward building long-term security guarantees,” Zelensky said during a funding update in March.
“It is also a recognition that Ukraine’s army will become even stronger after the war ends, and Germany is committed to contributing to that.”
