Norway to provide Ukraine with Iris-T missiles
24 August, 2023 Iris-T missile. Photo from open sources The Norwegian government approves the transfer of Iris-T missiles to Ukraine.
This is announced on the website of the Government of Norway. "Norway will continue to support Ukraine in its defense struggle against Russia for as long as necessary. Ukraine is now in dire need of more military and material support.
It has a great need for missiles and ammunition for air defense. Norway supports this in any way it can," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated. The Norwegian government notes that Ukraine's air defense has been the most important area of assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion.
IRIS-T SLS SAM.
Photo from open sources
It is crucial for protecting civilians, critical infrastructure, and troops from all types of Russian weapons. "In the past, Ukraine has received significant assistance from Western countries in the field of air defense, but the need for it remains enormous. Norway will continue supporting Ukraine in its struggle to defend itself against Russian troops.
That is why we will now transfer missiles for air defense. This is one of the largest Norwegian donations of military equipment to Ukraine to date," the Prime Minister noted. It is reported that the missiles will be deployed on launchers to be provided by Sweden.
Most likely, this regards the IRIS-T SLS (RBS 98) launchers that Sweden received in 2019.
IRIS-T missiles installed on the system's self-propelled launcher. Photo from open sources
In 2020, the German Diehl and the Norwegian Kongsberg signed an agreement on the joint production of air defense systems based on IRIS-T SLS missiles. In August, Militarnyi reported that Germany handed over the first two launchers of this air defense system to Ukraine.
Norway is providing significant assistance to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.
Previously, the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace announced that it would supply Ukraine with CORTEX Typhon C-UAS.
In addition, it was reported that Ukraine had received elements of the NASAMS air defense system.