Germany transfers IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine

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Berlin transferred a single IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine, German news outlet Der Speigel reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

In total, Berlin plans to deliver four such systems to Kiev. According to Der Spiegel, the handover was made near the Polish-Ukrainian border earlier in the day.

Photos being shared of IRIS-T platforms at a rest stop in Poland just under 5 hours away from Lviv. By now these systems could be anywhere in Ukraine and soon be ready to intercept Russian missiles and aircraft. pic.twitter.com/rLDue7wSJE

— Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) October 11, 2022

German media reported just yesterday that Germany was more than unprepared for a prolonged armed conflict due to low-running ammunition stockpiles that would only last for up to two days.

German Parliament defense commissioner Eva Hoegl told Business Insider that her country needed an additional 20 billion euros ($19.4 billion) to acquire enough munitions to meet NATO requirements.

There have been reports for months saying the German military was running out of weapons that can be sent to Ukraine, with Kiev still projected to be dependent on defense assistance from Berlin.

Germany is Ukraine's biggest European backer, with Berlin continuing to transfer weaponry to Ukraine that even its own forces do not have.

"We delivered whatever we had: anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, mines, guns, tons of ammunition, and non-lethal aid. Since then, we've progressed to more intricate and valuable systems," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said previously.

"Self-propelled howitzers, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, anti-aircraft systems, counter-battery radar," are among the high-value systems sent to Ukraine, which Germany is short on.

Ukraine became the second largest importer of German weapons after Berlin approved the exportation of $584 million worth of weaponry to Ukraine within the first 6 months of 2022. 

Scholz announced on June 1 that Germany would deliver 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. 

US-led arms group to discuss aid for Kiev

US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith also highlighted that the US-led Ukraine defense contact group would discuss the topic of air defenses for Kiev at their upcoming ministerial summit on Wednesday.

"There are further questions about what additional assistance could be provided, I suspect tomorrow will be the [topic] of air defense. I suggest there will be [discussions] on how to supply Ukraine with air defense [means]," Smith told journalists.

US President Joe Biden pledged last week during a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, to provide Ukraine with a fresh $625 million security package.

According to a White House press release, Biden pledged to continue sending arms to Ukraine in light of the war, including Tuesday's provision of $625 in security assistance, which includes arms and equipment, such as HIMARS, artillery systems, ammunition, and armored vehicles.

According to the US State Department, the Biden administration has committed more than $17.5 billion to arm Ukraine since the start of the war in February.

The United States also approved a few days ahead an extra $1.1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, providing 18 new High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

HIMARS is capable of launching Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles with a range of up to 50 miles, as well as a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile with a range of 186 miles. The US has been continuously supplying Ukraine with GMLRSs, while Kiev continues to make demands for ATACMS delivery.