New German IRIS-T Battery Downs Seven Missiles in First Combat Use in Ukraine

A fresh German-supplied IRIS-T SLM air-defense battery has already proven its effectiveness in Ukraine, intercepting multiple Russian missiles and drones shortly after deployment.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Defense Express.

The system, recently handed over to Ukraine and assigned to the 223rd Air Defense Missile Regiment, has successfully neutralized nine aerial threats during recent Russian strikes. 

According to the regiment, the new battery intercepted five Kh-101 cruise missiles, two Iskander-K missiles, and two Shahed-131/136 drones, marking one of the most successful early combat performances of any newly delivered Western air-defense platform.

Ukrainian forces also confirmed that the battery has been integrated with IRIS-T SLS short-range launchers, expanding its ability to engage low-flying targets such as reconnaissance drones and loitering munitions.

Defense Express noted that the system was transferred to Air Command “West” and immediately put into active service following the completion of Ukrainian crew training in Germany in early November.

Military personnel from the 223rd Regiment praised the system, describing the IRIS-T as a high-reliability asset that significantly strengthens Ukraine’s layered air-defense architecture and helps shield key infrastructure nodes targeted by Russia.

Berlin has not publicly disclosed the total number of IRIS-T batteries supplied this year, as all current military assistance for Ukraine remains classified. Nonetheless, Defense Express estimates that this is the ninth IRIS-T SLM provided to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

This latest battery is believed to be the third delivered in 2025 out of four pledged by Germany, though it remains unclear whether the fourth system will arrive before year-end.

The IRIS-T SLM is capable of intercepting targets at up to 40 km in range and 20 km in altitude, while the SLS variant extends coverage against low-altitude threats up to 12 km away.

Earlier in June 2025, Ukraine’s Lviv Air Defense Brigade set a record when an IRIS-T system intercepted seven Russian cruise missiles in a single engagement, outperforming even the Soviet-era S-300 systems traditionally used for such tasks.

Germany has also announced plans to reinforce Ukraine’s “invisible shield” further with additional IRIS-T radars expected to be deployed by the end of the year.

As The Gaze previously reported, Germany has announced a significant expansion of its military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, unveiling a fresh €150 million contribution to the PURL mechanism.

Beyond military aid, Germany has committed another €40 million in emergency winter assistance. The funds will support repairs of damaged homes and heating systems, provide generators, and deliver essential supplies such as blankets and hygiene kits, amid renewed Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid.