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Berlin expands military support to Kiev with new missiles, boosts production of IRIS-T systems and deepens industrial agreements amid Ukrainian pressure for air defense against Russian attacks with drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic weapons.
Germany announced on June 18 a new military reinforcement for Ukraine, with the promise to send a three-digit quantity of air-to-air missiles taken from the German Armed Forces’ own stocks.
Presented by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the measure was announced after a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, in the Ramstein format, held in Brussels.
The new package expands Berlin’s response to Kiev’s pressure for more air defense munitions, as Ukraine tries to keep its systems operating continuously against Russian attacks.
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In the assessment presented by Pistorius, the German priority remains focused on the protection of Ukrainian airspace, an area considered essential to reduce damage to cities, infrastructure, and strategic facilities.
Air-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s F-16s
Intended to enhance the combat capability of the F-16s used by Ukraine, the air-to-air missiles have not yet had their models officially confirmed by the German government.
For this reason, there is no secure confirmation that the batch includes AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, IRIS-T, or any other specific type of armament compatible with the fighters.
The decision has operational weight because the F-16s depend on constant stocks of compatible munitions to carry out interception missions, airspace defense, and response to threats launched by Russia.
By indicating that the delivery will come from its own reserves, Berlin signals an attempt to accelerate military support without relying solely on new industrial purchases or future production contracts.
Pistorius also informed that Germany delivered another IRIS-T system to Ukraine and accelerated the supply of guided missiles for the IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM versions.
With use aimed at protection against air attacks, these systems have come to play a central role in the Ukrainian defense of cities, critical infrastructure, and strategic points hit by Russian drones and missiles.
Production of IRIS-T systems gains scale
While expanding deliveries to Kiev, Diehl Defence, manufacturer of the IRIS-T family, is working to increase the production capacity of the SLM and SLS systems.
In an interview with Reuters published on January 22, 2026, the company’s president, Helmut Rauch, said that the company could manufacture up to 10 firing units in 2026.
According to Rauch, this volume could reach up to 16 units per year in about two years, as industrial expansion progresses and the demand for air defense remains high.
The executive also stated that the production of IRIS-T SLM missiles has grown tenfold since 2021, the period before Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to Reuters, the IRIS-T SLM and SLS systems have been used by Kiev to protect critical infrastructure against attacks carried out with missiles and drones.
This industrial advancement helps explain why air defense has become one of the most sensitive fronts of European support for Ukraine during the war.
More than providing launchers or aircraft, sustaining defense depends on the constant replenishment of interceptors, ammunition, and systems capable of operating for long periods.
Military agreements between Germany and Ukraine
In addition to air-to-air missiles and the reinforcement of the IRIS-T, Germany announced that it will allocate US$ 200 million for the purchase of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems, under the Jumpstart program.
The initiative addresses one of Kiev’s most urgent demands, as Patriots are used against more complex aerial threats and require regular replenishment of interceptors.
At the same meeting in Brussels, the countries also advanced in new stages of industrial cooperation, focusing on joint production and development of military technologies.
According to Pistorius, Ukrainian and German companies agreed to jointly produce Termit ground robotic systems, with production facilities planned on German territory.
Another agreement signed between Ukraine and Germany provides for the joint development of ballistic missile defense capabilities, in a front considered a priority for Kiev.
The initiative was cited as part of efforts to enhance Ukrainian protection against long-range Russian attacks, especially in a scenario of constant pressure on air defense.
Ukrainian air defense at the center of the strategy
The presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reinforced the political dimension of the meeting and the new German package.
Presided over by the United Kingdom and Germany, the meeting served to coordinate new arms deliveries, military financing, and industrial initiatives aimed at continuous support for Kiev.
At the same time, Berlin seeks to strengthen its own industrial defense base while maintaining the shipment of equipment and ammunition to Ukrainian forces.
According to Reuters, Germany launched the European Sky Shield Initiative in 2022, bringing together more than 20 countries to enhance air defense capabilities on the continent.
The combination of missile shipments, acceleration of IRIS-T deliveries, and joint production shows that German aid goes beyond an emergency package.
With these moves, Berlin attempts to reduce ammunition bottlenecks, increase the availability of systems, and integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into the European effort.
The exact number of air-to-air missiles and the models to be delivered to the F-16s operated by Ukraine remain publicly unclear.
So far, confirmation is limited to the three-digit quantity, their origin from German stocks, and Berlin’s declared priority to reinforce Ukrainian air defense.
