Latvia and German company “Diehl Defence” sign purchase order on procurement of the IRIS-T medium-range air defence system

On November 30, Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the German company “Diehl Defence” signed a purchase order on the procurement of the IRIS-T medium-range air defence system.

By signing the purchase order worth around 600 million euros, Latvia will receive all the necessary equipment for an effective operation of IRIS-T systems, which will ensure the introduction of layered air defence in Latvia.

Deliveries of medium-range air defence systems are scheduled to start in 2026. Until then Latvia needs to train its personnel and upgrade its infrastructure, as well as fulfil other preconditions, so that the National Armed Forces are ready to fully operate and maintain the IRIS-T systems by the time of the delivery.

As reported earlier, in September Latvia and Estonia signed the framework agreement on the purchase of the IRIS-T medium-range air defence system manufactured by the German company “Diehl Defence”.

IRIS-T air defence system is capable of destroying enemy aircrafts and drones within a radius of up to 40 kilometres and at altitudes of up to 20 kilometres. The joint procurement of one type of system will allow Latvia and Estonia to save budgetary funds and facilitate mutual coordination in the defence of the Baltic States region.

The purchase of IRIS-T medium-range air defence system will contribute to Latvia's goal to establish a multi-layered air defence system, where air defence systems of various range not only protect other ground assets but also provide mutual protection to each other. Each successive layer increases the overall resilience of the entire system against adversary activity. The development of such air defence capabilities in Latvia is one of the government's priorities.    
 

MoD Military Public Affairs Department
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335393
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv