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 such air defense complexes as the SAMP/T and Aspide, as well as the 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 and when Italy will be able to transfer to Ukraine. However, it is emphasized that " Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto spoke by phone on Monday with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and pledged to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion for "as long as necessary."
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Reuters also emphasizes that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "is a staunch supporter of Ukraine despite the ambivalence of her coalition allies, Matteo Salvini and Silvio Berlusconi, who both have historically close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
Defense Express adds that 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 unknown.
Taking into account these declared figures, Italy will obviously not be able to transfer that many air defense systems. But in current conditions, even one SAMP/T that is capable of combating ballistic targets, will be a significant strengthening of Ukraine's air defense. Especially against Iranian-made ballistic missiles, which are highly likely to be applied to shell Ukraine’s cities.
In turn, the Italian Aspide will be an addition to the same air defense systems already received from Spain, and will help to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure from cruise missiles.
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