Latvia Signs €600 Million Contract to Get IRIS-T Air Defense Systems

1 December, 2023 The IRIS-T system. Photo credits: Latvijas armija Latvia has signed a contract worth hundreds of millions of euros for the supply of IRIS-T air defense systems.

The Ministry of National Defence of Latvia said it had signed a contract with the German company Diehl Defense. The contract is worth about EUR600 million, and the system will be delivered to Latvia in 2026. By 2026, Latvia will have trained personnel and improved infrastructure to allow full use and maintenance of the system at the time of delivery.

At the moment, this will be the largest military procurement since the restoration of Latvia's independence.

The IRIS-T system. Photo credits: Latvijas armija

Latvia and Estonia have jointly decided to purchase the IRIS-T medium-range air defense system.

"Today we have signed a contract for the supply of the IRIS-T medium-range air defense system. This is an important step in the development of Latvia's echeloned air defense," said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds. The joint purchase of the same type of air defense system will allow Latvia and Estonia to save their own budget funds and will also facilitate mutual coordination of Baltic defense.

Latvia's goal is to create a layered air defense system where short- and medium-range air defense systems will not only protect important ground targets but also cover each other from enemy attacks.

The IRIS-T system. Photo credits: Latvijas armija

The IRIS-T system has medium- and short-range modifications that are equipped with different types of missiles.

The IRIS-T SLM can engage air targets at a distance of up to 40 km, and the shorter SLS version - up to 12 km.

The IRIS-T system.

Photo credits: Latvijas armija

In November, it became known that Germany would send two more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.