Ukraine received the first IRIS-T air defense system to protect Odesa port

Ukraine received the first IRIS-T air defense system from Germany.

“A new era of air defense has begun in Ukraine. IRIS-T from Germany is here. The American NASAMS are on the way. This is just the beginning. And we need more. There is no doubt that russia is a terrorist state. There is a moral obligation to protect the skies above Ukraine in order to save our people,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht met with Oleksiy Reznikov in Odesa. There, she announced the delivery of the first ground-based IRIS-T air defense complex for the protection of the Odesa port.

“This will help protect critical infrastructure and repel russian air attacks. However, additional supplies must be made, and Germany wants to encourage its allies to do so,” said the politician.

In total, Germany plans to transfer four IRIS-T SLM complexes to Ukraine. The next three systems will be delivered next year.

The ground-based air defense system IRIS-T SLM is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems, which is not even in service with the Bundeswehr (armed forces of Germany).