Announced in December, the delivery of the SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine will take place in the near future. This was stated by the head of the Italian Foreign Ministry Antonio Tajani.
Italy and France are completing preparations for the transfer of the SAMP-T anti-aircraft system to Ukraine, promised to Kyiv in December last year. As reported then, Italy must supply radar, and France – complex launchers. The Italians are already ready to fulfill their part of the deal and are waiting for the French to be ready. The complex should be included in the sixth package of military assistance to Italy for Ukraine, what else is included, not disclosed in Rome.
In cooperation with France, we complete the shipment of SAMP-T, and, Besides, other activities planned, which we do not disclose. (…) For the allies of Ukraine it is quite clear, that we should do our best, to help this nation in its struggle for independence- Tajani stated.
Italy was supposed to send the sixth military package in early December, but froze it, since Ukraine urgently requested air defense systems. After a month and a half, the issue with the air defense system is almost resolved, it remains to send them to Kyiv.
SAMP-T air defense systems are designed both to protect troops and cover strategically important stationary objects. The complex is capable of shooting down aircraft, UAV, cruise and anti-radar missiles, including tactical ballistic missiles, what Kyiv really needs. To date, there are no such air defense systems in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. SAMP-T are capable of shooting down aircraft at ranges from 3 km to 100 km and ballistic missiles at ranges from 3 km to 25 km, lesion height - up to 25 km.
