Germany bolsters Ukraine's Air Defence with Patriot, IRIS-T systems
Defence Romania reports that Germany supplied Ukraine with 328 Patriot missiles and 658 IRIS-T missiles. As one of the country's major providers of air defence systems, Germany also delivered several units of the systems needed for operation.
Germany has become one of the leading suppliers of air defence systems to Ukraine. According to Defence Romania, the country provided three Patriot systems and six IRIS-T systems in the SLM and SLS versions to Ukraine, along with 57 self-propelled Gepard systems and two Skynex units. In an interview with Defence Romania, Major General Christian Freuding also disclosed that Germany delivered 328 Patriot missiles and 658 IRIS-T missiles to Ukraine. This information was revealed on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
German support for Ukraine
Patriot systems use GEM-T, PAC-3 CRI, and MSE missiles to counter various threats. Meanwhile, the IRIS-T SLS and SLM systems are based on IRIS-T missiles produced by the German company Diehl. Although the production of GEM-T missiles in Germany only began in November 2024, it has not yet reached full capacity. However, Diehl plans to increase the production of IRIS-T missiles by constructing a new factory, which is expected to commence operations at the end of 2025.
The Defence Romania service notes that the first IRIS-T systems arrived in Ukraine as early as January 2023, and Patriot systems were delivered in April 2023. These systems represent some of the most advanced technologies provided to Ukraine as part of military support from Western nations. Each system plays a crucial role in safeguarding airspace from missile and aerial attacks, though they differ in range, purpose, and operational technology.
The Patriot system, developed by the American corporation Raytheon, is among the most advanced anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems worldwide. It can intercept aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles, serving as a key element in layered air defence. Depending on the version, its missiles can engage targets at distances from 70 to even 160 kilometres, and the interception altitude reaches 24 kilometres.
In Ukraine, systems equipped with PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles are utilised, which differ in purpose—the former is more effective against aerodynamic targets, while the latter is optimised for combating ballistic missiles. The Patriot uses advanced long-range radars capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets simultaneously, making it highly efficient in thwarting mass air attacks.
IRIS-T, the German system developed by Diehl Defence, is a modern medium-range weapon designed to combat aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. Compared to the Patriot, it has a shorter range—up to 40 kilometres—but boasts high precision and the capability to engage targets flying at very low altitudes. IRIS-T launchers work with advanced radars that allow for rapid detection and neutralisation of threats, making this system particularly effective against attacks on critical infrastructure and military units.
Both systems significantly bolster Ukraine's defensive capabilities by creating a comprehensive air defence network. The Patriot is a long-range shield capable of intercepting the most sophisticated threats, such as Russian Iskander ballistic missiles. The IRIS-T effectively fills the gap in medium-range defence, addressing threats in the lower layers of the atmosphere. The collaboration of these systems permits more effective protection of Ukrainian airspace from large-scale air and missile attacks, as has been demonstrated during the ongoing conflict.
