Image source: topwar.ru
The German government has asked Sweden to hand over the IRIS-T air defense system launchers, which are supposed to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine. Earlier, the German authorities have already sent one IRIS-T system to Kiev and plan to send three more similar installations.
According to the German magazine Spiegel, a positive response on this issue has not yet been received from the Swedish authorities. The head of the Swedish Defense Ministry stressed that the discussion of arms supplies to the Ukrainian army should be considered taking into account the factor of geographical proximity between Russia and Sweden, as well as the fact that the latter has not yet joined the NATO military bloc.
It is also reported that the ongoing negotiations are confidential. Their goal is Berlin's desire to supply the Ukrainian army with a significant amount of ammunition for IRIS-T air defense systems.
It is noted that during 2023, Berlin plans to transfer three more IRIS-T installations to Kiev in addition to the air defense system of this type already transferred in October last year.
In addition, the authorities of Italy and France are going to provide Ukraine with the Samp/T air defense system. According to the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry Antonio Tajani, the new system can be deployed in Ukraine within seven to eight weeks.
It is reported that the cost of the Samp/T battery with Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles to it is about 800 million euros.
