Italy and France finalize preparation of SAMP/T air defense system for shipment to Ukraine

In mid-December 2022, it became known that Italy and France had approved the delivery of the SAMP/T surface-to-air missile system to Ukraine. However, some technical problems remained to be solved before sending the SAMs. It seems that in the near future SAMP/T will already be in Ukraine.

Here's What We Know

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a recent interview with Corriere della Sera that preparations for the air defense system to be sent to Ukraine are being completed.

"In cooperation with France, we are finalizing the dispatch of SAMP/T, and in addition, other actions are planned that we will not disclose," the foreign minister stressed.

He also recalled that Italy has already provided Ukraine with five packages of military assistance worth about 1 billion euros. Now the sixth package is being prepared, which includes air defense systems.

SAMP/T is an anti-aircraft missile system designed for anti-aircraft protection of mechanized units and troops on march, as well as anti-aircraft protection of important stationary objects against a massive attack of a wide class of air targets, ranging from tactical missiles, all types of aircraft and ending with various drones in all weather conditions. The launcher of the anti-aircraft missile system can fire eight Aster-30 missiles within 10 seconds. As a result, it is capable of destroying air targets at an altitude of up to 25 km and a distance of up to 100 km.

Source: Corriere della Sera