During his emotionally charged visit, Rauch participated in several high-level discussions with Ukrainian officials, including Yulia Svyrydenko, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, and Alexander Kamyshin, the Ukrainian Minister for Strategic Industries. These discussions centered on the pressing need for robust ground-based air defences, highlighting the deployment of Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SLM system in Ukraine.
Rauch expressed admiration for the Ukrainian resolve amidst the conflict, noting the significant impact of meeting those directly affected by the war. “It was impressive to see the strength and energy with which the people in Ukraine are fighting for their freedom,” he stated. The experience reinforced Diehl Defence’s dedication to supporting Ukraine, especially through the provision of advanced defence technologies.
Further bolstering this commitment, Diehl Defence has announced the upcoming delivery of a fourth IRIS-T SLM air defence system to Ukraine, expected within a few weeks. This follows the arrival of three systems since fall 2022, with a total of 12 units of the medium-range IRIS-T SLM and short-range IRIS-T SLS promised by Germany to Ukraine. Each system, valued at approximately 140 million euros, boasts a range of 40 kilometers and is a critical component of Ukraine’s defensive strategy against aerial threats.