Sweden to purchase German-made Iris-T defense system

​​​​​​​By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Sweden has signed a contract to purchase the German-made Iris-T air defense system, media reports said Tuesday.

The 2 billion Swedish kronor ($209,000) contract was signed by the Defense Materiel Administration, public broadcaster SVT reported.

In addition, 1.5 billion Swedish kronor will go toward vehicles and systems on which the robot will be mounted.

Defense Minister Pal Jonson said the purchase is a "powerful reinforcement of our air defense."

"The systems are used, among other things, to shoot down fighter jets, cruise missiles and various forms of drones," he said at a news conference.

The investment does not mean more money for the defense budget, according to the report.