Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, revealed the first details of a very important agreement concerning the production of modern IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine
According to him, the total value of the contract for the manufacturing and supply of missiles and systems reaches an impressive €2.2 billion. The information was made public by the defense official through his Telegram channel, emphasizing that he is in Berlin as part of the Ukrainian delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. This news is a logical continuation of the negotiations that took place amidst active diplomatic efforts by Ukrainian officials in Germany. On Wednesday, during the visit, the German government officially announced its intention to provide Ukraine with a military aid package worth five billion euros. Among the key agreements is the signing of a contract with the German company Diehl Defence, which will be responsible for the production of modern IRIS-T systems and their missiles. This is a significant step toward strengthening Ukraine’s defense capability in the context of combating Russian aggression. At this time, Umerov did not specify the exact timelines for the manufacturing or delivery of the systems received. However, he emphasized that the German side will also finance the procurement of Ukrainian long-range artillery within the framework of this humanitarian and military support. This suggests that Kyiv will receive assistance not only in the field of air defense but also in enhancing long-range artillery, which is of fundamental importance for conducting combat operations. Additionally, it is important to note that the decision by the German government to expand and strengthen military aid to Ukraine was announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He highlighted that Germany’s support for Kyiv will have a broader scope, although details remain limited. Merz also stressed that one of the priorities is to counter the launch of Nord Stream 2 — the gas pipeline that in many ways symbolizes energy dependence and political pressure. Overall, these messages signal an intensification of military cooperation between Ukraine and Germany, which is becoming a crucial factor in strengthening the defense potential of our country. It is already clear that the future supply of modern missile systems and components will have strategic significance for Ukraine’s fight for security and independence. The implementation of these agreements is expected to not only help counter current challenges but also serve as an important step toward bolstering European security as a whole.