Germany says that it will send the IRIS-T air defense missile system to Ukraine following a request from Ukraine for heavy weapons.

The IRIS-T (“InfraRed Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled“) is a German-led program to develop a short to medium range infrared homing air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder found in some NATO member countries. Any aircraft capable of firing the Sidewinder is also capable of launching the IRIS-T.

Our JTVC political analyst warns that this move from Germany could be used by Putin as evidence of Germany relaunching aggressive moves against Russia, and relate this action to Nazi elements of the Ukrainian Army. This would further justify his invasion of Ukraine with the Russian people who still harbor anger and resentment about Germany’s own brutal invasion of Russian territory during WW2.