Ukraine's New Iris-T Air Defense Takes Out 5 Russian Missiles, 2 Shaheds

Within weeks of arriving in Ukraine, the country's newest Iris-T air defense system from Germany has already shot down 5 Russian missiles and 2 Shaheds, confirming its value as an effective air defense against the heightened Russian threat against civilian and military Ukrainian targets. JL

Ivan Khomenko reports in United 24:

Germany has delivered another IRIS-T SLM air defense system to Ukraine, which has already demonstrated operational success by shooting down nine targets including 5 Kh-101 missiles, 2 Iskander missiles and 2 Shahed UAVs. The IRIS-T SLM system is designed to intercept aerial targets at ranges of up to 40 km and altitudes up to 20 km. It is paired with IRIS-T SLS short-range launchers, which engage lower-flying threats at ranges up to 12 km and altitudes of 8 km. The latest battery is the third delivered in 2025.

Germany has delivered another IRIS-T SLM air defense system to Ukraine, which has already demonstrated operational success by intercepting Russian cruise missiles and drones, according to Defense Express on December 2.

A newly transferred IRIS-T SLM system has been deployed by Ukraine’s 223rd Air Defense Missile Regiment and has already intercepted nine airborne threats.

According to the unit, the system downed five Kh-101 cruise missiles, two Iskander-K missiles, and two Shahed-131/136 drones during recent Russian attacks.

Defense Express, citing Ukrainian air defense forces, reported that the system was provided to the Air Command “West” and is already in active service. The outlet also noted that the system is integrated with short-range IRIS-T SLS launchers to expand its engagement capabilities.

Military personnel from the 223rd Regiment praised the system’s reliability and effectiveness in defending critical infrastructure, calling it a significant reinforcement to Ukraine’s layered air defense.

 

The IRIS-T SLM system is designed to intercept aerial targets at ranges of up to 40 km and altitudes up to 20 km. It is paired with IRIS-T SLS short-range launchers, which engage lower-flying threats at ranges up to 12 km and altitudes of 8 km. These short-range elements are particularly suited for neutralizing loitering munitions and reconnaissance drones.

According to Defense Express, the training for Ukrainian crews concluded in Germany in early November, and the system was delivered to Ukraine shortly afterward.

This latest battery is believed to be the third delivered in 2025 out of the four initially pledged by Germany, although there is conflicting information on whether the fourth system will arrive before year-end.

Strike tally markings on an IRIS‑T SLM command post, 2024. (Photo: Air Command “West”)

Germany has not officially disclosed the total number of IRIS-T systems transferred this year, having classified all current military aid to Ukraine. However, Defense Express reports that this marks the ninth IRIS-T SLM unit delivered since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Earlier in June 2025, Ukraine’s Lviv Air Defense Brigade used the German‑made IRIS‑T system for the first time, shooting down seven Russian cruise missiles in a single engagement—surpassing its previous record achieved with the Soviet‑era S‑300 system.