Germany plans to deploy the first of four upgraded air defense systems in “days.”
The hurry to accelerate delivery follows severe Russian missile attacks on key Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
According to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian populated areas underline the need of deploying air defence equipment to Kyiv’s military.
The long-awaited systems, capable of defending a whole city, were supposed to be delivered by the end of the year. However, Monday’s fatal attacks have accelerated the delivery schedule.
What did German authorities have to say?
The Russian bombardment, according to Lambrecht, emphasized the need of delivering vehicle-mounted Iris-T SLM systems as soon as possible.
“The repeated missile attack on Kyiv and many other places shows how critical it is to promptly provide Ukraine with air defence systems,” the defence minister said in a statement.
“Russian missile and drone attacks frighten above all the civilian population,” Lambrecht stated.
She continued by stating that the first of four high-tech air defence systems would now be “ready for effective people protection in the coming days.”
In June, Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to assist Ukraine with air defence systems.
Russian rockets are pouring down on towns across Ukraine.
What are the air defence shields capable of?
At a height of up to 20 kilometres (12 miles) and a distance of up to 40 kilometres, the IRIS-T SLM can protect against incoming missiles.
Scholz claims that the defensive system can defend “an whole big metropolis from Russian air assaults.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday that Germany will do “all possible” to assist Ukraine fast strengthen its air defences.
“It is terrible and unjustifiable for Putin to use missiles to strike huge cities and people,” Baerbock commented on Twitter.
According to the German Foreign Ministry, a big building housing the German embassy in Kyiv was damaged during the missile attacks on Monday morning. However, it was stated that the office had not been used since the outbreak of the war.
(Reuters, dpa, AFP, AP)
