Breaking News: Germany Plans First Supply of 120 Soviet-made IGLA man-portable air defense systems to Ukraine.

On April 17, 2025, the German Ministry of Defense officially announced plans to supply Ukraine with 120 Soviet-designed 9K38 Igla man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). This marks the first time that Germany intends to transfer this type of air defense weapon to Ukraine, representing a significant development in Germany’s military assistance strategy amid the ongoing war.
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Soviet-made IGLA SA-18 Grouse Man Portable Air Defense Missile System. (Image Credit: M. Dura via Defence24 website)

The 9K38 Igla, designated by NATO as the SA-18 "Grouse," is a shoulder-launched, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile system developed by the Soviet Union in the early 1980s. Its compact and highly mobile design enables infantry units to effectively engage low-flying targets, including helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and increasingly, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. With a maximum engagement range of around 5.2 kilometers and an operational altitude of up to 3.5 kilometers, the Igla offers frontline troops critical defensive capabilities in environments where more extensive air defense systems might not be immediately available or deployable.

For Ukraine, the addition of Igla MANPADS to its arsenal comes at a crucial moment. Russian forces have intensified their use of rotary-wing aircraft and loitering munitions, particularly in contested frontlines and urban areas. The mobility and simplicity of the Igla system mean that Ukrainian soldiers can rapidly deploy and reposition in response to these dynamic aerial threats. Unlike large and fixed air defense platforms, MANPADS such as the Igla are ideal for mobile units, irregular warfare environments, and protecting key logistical or command centers against sudden air assaults.

Moreover, the Igla’s passive infrared guidance makes it less susceptible to electronic countermeasures and jamming—a growing concern in the modern electronic warfare landscape. Its “fire-and-forget” capability allows operators to disengage immediately after launch, increasing survivability and enabling greater flexibility during operations.

While the German government has not officially disclosed the origin of the supplied Igla MANPADSs suggest that they could potentially stem from stockpiles inherited from the former East Germany after reunification in 1990. At that time, the Bundeswehr absorbed large quantities of Soviet-manufactured weapons systems from the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), many of which were eventually mothballed or kept in reserve.

The supply of the Soviet-made Igla man-portable air defense missile system into Ukrainian service by way of Germany illustrates not only a deepening of military cooperation but also reflects how legacy Cold War-era weaponry is being revitalized to meet the demands of contemporary warfare. In the face of sustained aerial pressure from Russian forces, the deployment of these MANPADS will significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to protect its forces and critical infrastructure across multiple theaters of operation.