The German government was unable to provide funding for the new Iris-T air defense system, which the manufacturer, Diehl Defense, was ready to hand over to Ukraine after a Russian blow at the Ohmatdit Children's Hospital in July. This was reported by Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, citing sources in the federal government.
According to information, the lack of funding is related to the ban on additional military assistance to Ukraine, which was introduced in the framework of budgetary negotiations in the government coalition. The source noted that because of the freezing of the new assistance, even the existing IRIS-T air defense system could not be financed, despite the fact that the manufacturer was ready to give it immediately after the devastating bombing of the hospital in Kiev.
Diehl Defense has proposed to supply the IRIS-T system to Ukraine because the other client has decided to refuse to supply in its favor. However, despite the wishes of the Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius to provide funding, the funds were not approved. The Diehl Ministry of Defense refused to comment on the situation.
According to the publication, due to a new restriction on military assistance, almost four billion euros, it was not possible to provide funding for new orders this year, although the industry could provide the necessary equipment. The Ministry of Defense planned to order military equipment for Ukraine, including Diehl air defense, but the office and the Ministry of Finance were opposed to it.
Other expenses include artillery ammunition, drones, maintenance costs and spare parts for already supplied German weapons such as tanks and howitzers. Some of these expenses are funded by the balance of funds. Experts believe that new orders for military equipment by 2028 are unlikely to be possible. Ukraine continues to receive supply only under old contracts.
