Italy is ready to transfer air defense systems to Ukraine that can destroy ballistic missiles
In addition, Rome is ready to help with ‘Stingers’ and Aspide complexes
The Italian government is preparing a new package of military aid to Ukraine, which will include air defense equipment. Rome is ready to provide Ukraine with anti-aircraft missile complexes of the SAMP/T and Aspide types, as well as Stinger MANPADS. Reuters writes about this with reference to a representative of the government coalition, who wished to remain anonymous.
For now, it remains unknown exactly how many SAMP/T and Aspide complexes Italy will be able to transfer to Ukraine, and in what approximate time frame such a delivery can take place. However, it is emphasized that ‘Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto spoke on the phone with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday, November 7 and promised to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion as long as necessary.’
Also, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ‘is a strong supporter of Ukraine, despite the ambivalence of her coalition allies Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, who have historically close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.’
According to The Military Balance 2021, the Italian armed forces have at their disposal 20 SAMP/T complexes and 32 Aspide complexes (equipped with AIM-7 Sparrow), the exact number of FIM-92 Stinger is not known.
If we take into account these declared figures, Italy will obviously not be able to transfer many air defense systems. But in our current conditions, even one SAMP/T, capable of combating ballistic targets, will be a significant strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense. Especially against the background of the hypothetical threat of the appearance in Russia of Iranian-made ballistic missiles for shelling our cities.
In turn, the Italian Aspide will be an addition to the same air defense systems already received from Spain, and will help strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure from cruise missiles.
