Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the German defense company Diehl Defense, which is the manufacturer of the IRIS-T system.
“The protection of Ukrainian skies and cities is our priority. The signed agreement paves the way for large industrial projects that will allow strengthening the capabilities of Ukrainian air defense,” he wrote on Facebook on Sunday evening.
Umerov emphasized that the IRIS-T system is an important part of Ukraine’s air defense shield.
According to him, the memorandum provides for a threefold increase in the supply of missiles and air defense systems.
“I’m grateful to Diehl Defence for your trust and willingness to cooperate. It is important that the world’s leading defense companies are taking a step towards Ukraine. The free world is on our side, and together we are opening up new opportunities to strengthen defense,” he wrote, adding that the development of the Ukrainian defense industry and its integration into the European ecosystem continues.
IRIS-T is a short-range air-to-air missile equipped with a cooled infrared homing head (GOH). The development was carried out under the leadership of Germany in cooperation with 6 participating countries.