Ukraine conflict: Norway to donate converted IRIS-T air-to-air missiles for Ukrainian GBAD

Converted Norwegian IRIS-T air-to-air missiles can be deployed from launchers to be donated to Ukraine by Sweden, which mounts the IRIS-T SLS air defence system on the trailer section of the BvS10 armoured all-terrain vehicle. (Forsvarsmakten/Jessica Krantz)

Norway will donate converted IRIS-T air-to-air missiles to Ukraine for use by its ground-based air defence (GBAD), a Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 31 August. The missiles armed former Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 combat aircraft.

The Norwegian MoD announced in a press release on 24 August that the missiles – it did not specify the type – can be deployed from launchers to be donated by Sweden.

The Norwegian MoD spokesperson declined to comment on the number of IRIS-T missiles the country is donating, the timeline, or method of delivery to Ukraine.

Germany has bought back 200 IRIS-T SLS (Surface Launched Short Range) air-defence missiles from Sweden to be refurbished by Diehl Defence before being supplied to Ukraine to replenish IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium Range) missiles fired during Russian air attacks.

Sweden will procure IRIS-SLS missiles to replace the ones supplied to Ukraine. The Nordic country has mounted IRIS-SLS launchers on the rear unit of the BvS10 armoured all-terrain vehicle.

Previously, Sweden donated subsystems of the Hawk air-defence system to Ukraine and Norway supplied the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) system and Mistral air-defence missiles.