 |
| Germany Will Soon Deliver Iris-T SLM Air Defense Systems to Ukraine |
Berlin - Germany will send the first of four high - tech air defense systems in the coming days to Ukraine . The deliveries came after a massive Russian missile strike that hit major Ukrainian cities, including Kiev.
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht on Monday (10/10/2022) said Russian missile attacks on population centers of Ukraine highlighted the urgency of sending air defense systems to Kiev forces. The long-promised system, capable of protecting entire cities, was originally scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year.
Monday's deadly attack, in fact, has accelerated delivery times. Lambrecht said the Russian strike underscores the need for the vehicle-mounted Iris-T SLM system to be delivered quickly. "The new missile strikes in Kiev and many other cities show how important it is to supply Ukraine with air defense systems quickly," Lambrecht said, as quoted by DW.
"Russian strikes with missiles and drones terrorized over all the civilian population," he continued. He added that the first of four high-tech air defense systems would now be "ready for effective protection of people in the coming days."
Meanwhile Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised to provide air defense systems to Ukraine by June. The IRIS-T SLM can withstand approaching missiles at an altitude of up to 20 kilometers (12 miles) and a range of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles).
According to Scholz, the defense system made it possible to protect "entire major cities from Russian air attacks." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany would do "all it can" to help quickly bolster Ukraine's air defenses.
"It is despicable and unjustifiable for Putin to bombard major cities and civilians with missiles," Baerbock wrote on Twitter. During Monday's missile attack, the German Foreign Ministry said a large building housing the German consulate in Kiev was damaged. However, he added that the office had not been used since the war broke out.