Ukraine will receive 45 Gepard anti-aircraft guns and 2 IRIS-T systems by the end of the year

25 June, 2023 Gepard. Photo from open sources Germany, in cooperation with the United States, intends to transfer 45 more Gepard anti-aircraft guns and 2 IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

Brigadier General Christian Freuding shared this in an interview with Welt am Sonntag. According to the publication, Germany has already handed over 34 Gepard anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine, and 15 more will be delivered in the coming weeks. "In addition, we want to deliver up to 30 more Gepards by the end of the year in cooperation with the US," Freuding said.

Assistance in purchasing Gepard anti-aircraft guns is also provided by the United States. Militarnyi reported that the Pentagon signed a contract with Global Military Products.

Gepard anti-aircraft guns of the Jordanian military. Photo credits: twitter.com/gepardtatze

The £118 million contract covers the purchase of anti-aircraft guns in Jordan. In an interview, Freuding stated that he considers Ukraine's air defenses to be a key weak point during counteroffensive actions.

"We are doing everything we can. But, despite all this, does Ukraine have sufficient anti-missile defense? Definitely not!", the Brigadier General declared.

He also reminded that Germany will hand over two IRIS-T SLM air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of this year, and four more in the next year.

IRIS-T. Photo credits: Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Thus, the approximate number of Gepard anti-aircraft guns in service with the Defense Forces of Ukraine will be about 79 units by the end of this year. The number of IRIS-T SLM air defense systems will be increased to eight by the end of next year.

As previously reported, Estonia and Latvia will start negotiations with the German Diehl Defense on the purchase of the Iris-T SLM medium-range air defense system.

Germany also ordered six additional Iris-T systems to strengthen its own air defense.