Germany to deliver Iris T air defense system to Ukraine

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On Wednesday, German chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany will deliver an air defense system - the Iris T system -  to Ukraine, capable of shielding a city from Russian air raids, attempting to reverse Germany's reputation that it has not been aiding Ukraine as it should. 

Scholz spoke to the German parliament, announcing that Berlin will be sending more weapons to Kiev. 

"The government has decided that we will send the Iris-T system -- the most modern system that Germany currently possesses," he said. 

Read more: German civil society calls on Scholz to stop Ukraine arms deliveries

According to Scholz, the system will "enable Ukraine to protect an entire major city from Russian airstrikes." 

Berlin, in addition, will be delivering a tracking radar system that could detect enemy rocket artillery, as announced by the chancellor.

However, Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said that it would take months for the air defense system to reach Ukraine. In fact, the Iris T was bound for another country, but the manufacturer, Diehl, agreed to divert its route to Ukraine instead,

Scholz, furthermore, said Berlin will "contribute what is within our technical capabilities" amid a backdrop of political pressure from the West, in addition to criticism that Germany is not doing enough for Ukraine. Scholz then, finally, agreed to send heavy weapons to Ukraine. Those included self-propelled howitzers and Leopard tanks to Ukraine. 

Read more: Biden: US to send Ukraine advanced weapons

Scholz, in Brussels, said that he had agreed on a deal with Greece to send Soviet-era military vehicles to Ukraine in exchange for modern armor in Berlin. Berlin will also be sending 14 combat-ready Leopard 2 A4 tanks, one replacement tank, spare parts, and ammunition to the Czech Republic in exchange for them sending T-72 tanks to Ukraine.