Italy plans to provide Ukraine with additional SAMP/T air defense systems

The Italian government has included an additional battery of the SAMP/T air defense system in the new military aid package for Ukraine.

La Repubblica reported on this.

The Italian government has already voted to form a new military aid package, which will reportedly be ready for the G7 in Puglia on June 13.

Among various military equipment and 155-mm artillery, the government also included one SAMP/T battery from its own army.

First of all, it regards a battery of the air defense systems used by the Italian army to protect Slovak airspace, which was recalled back to Italy.

The ninth aid package from Italy must be approved by the country’s parliament, after which it can be transferred to Ukraine.

The Italian Army has four batteries equipped with SAMP/T systems and belonging to the 4th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment.

The Italian version of the system is based on the Iveco M320 or ACTL HD8 truck. The first SAMP/T battery consists of four self-propelled launchers, a self-propelled radar and a command post.

As previously reported, in March 2023, the Italian government already sent to Ukraine one battery of this type of air defense system.

This will be the second SAMP/T battery to be delivered by Italy, and the country placed an order in February 2024 to purchase an additional number of these systems.

According to the signed contract, Italy is ordering four SAMP/T NG air defense systems for its ground forces as part of the strengthening of Italy’s and NATO’s defense.

The new systems will be equipped with modernized Leonardo EMPAR radars and upgraded Aster 30 Block 1 NT missiles.