Ukraine will receive two medium-range SLM and short-range SLS models of the IRIS-T air defense systems from Germany by the end of the year, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Germany's Major General Christian Freuding, the head of the Bundeswehr's Situation Center Ukraine, said Germany's additional aid for Ukraine will extend beyond Christmas and the German elections in February, according to the newspaper.
"The next IRIS-T SLM (medium-range) and SLS (short-range) systems should arrive in Ukraine in the coming days and weeks, before Christmas," he was cited as saying.
Newsweek reached out to the foreign ministries of Ukraine and Germany for further comment via email.
Freuding also reportedly noted that Germany had supplied Ukraine with artillery howitzers, tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, in addition to launching an attack drone program, according to Pravda.
The IRIS-T is a "missile system designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles," and the delivery of the two new IRIS-T systems is part of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's plan to send 17 to Ukraine, which he announced in September.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call with Scholz on November 13 about the additional IRIS-T systems. Scholz said that the sixth planned IRIS-T air defense system will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of this year.
The two leaders also discussed additional air defense assistance from Germany in the future.
Scholz announced in September that he had ordered 17 IRIS-T systems for Ukraine, including eight medium-range systems (SLM) and nine short-range systems (SLS), and he previously said: "German support for Ukraine does not fade away. We took precautions and secured contracts and financing in a timely manner so that Ukraine could continue to fully rely on us," as reported by Ukrinform.
The German Chancellor added: "In Ukraine to date, IRIS-T has shot down more than 250 missiles, drones, and cruise missiles, thus saving countless lives. The system demonstrates an impressive accuracy rate of 95 percent."
Since the war began in February 2022, Germany has been a key ally for Ukraine, supplying aid now and into the future valued at approximately 28 billion euros ($29.4 billion).
Germany has provided Ukraine with weapons, in addition to training Ukrainian soldiers and providing medical care for those who are injured.
Ukraine has also recently received assistance with air defense systems from Norway and Canada. Norway is aiding Ukraine by providing funding for Romania to send a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, while Canada recently announced it had delivered a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to the country.
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