German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed an order for additional IRIS-T air defense systems for the Bundeswehr and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Paralel.Az reports citing foreign media.

According to Bloomberg, the announcement was made on 4 September during Scholz’s visit to a military base near Kiel.

Scholz said that Germany will procure six IRIS-T systems for its armed forces, which he said would “play a key role in strengthening the European Sky Shield air defense initiative,” which involves 21 countries.

Scholz announced an order of 17 IRIS-T systems for Ukraine. DPA news agency specifies that this includes eight medium-range (SLM) and nine short-range (SLS) systems. Four SLM and three SLS systems are already operating in Ukraine.