Italy to Manufacture New SAMP/T Air Defense System for Ukraine

Italy has committed to producing a new SAMP/T air defense system for Ukraine, instead of supplying one from its existing military stock.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto made this announcement during the GLOBSEC Global Security Forum in Prague.

Crosetto revealed that the Italian defense industry is facing delays in delivering the SAMP/T system designated for Ukraine, due to interruptions in work during holidays and weekends. He pointed out that the Italian defense sector is not equipped to operate under wartime conditions, stressing the need for urgent changes—a realization that has also dawned on the broader European defense industry.

Reports from the Italian news agency Ansa indicate that the SAMP/T system, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, is being manufactured at a facility near Naples. Despite Crosetto’s claims, local union representatives disputed his remarks, asserting that the plant operates on a three-shift schedule and is already planning to increase its workforce. However, they acknowledged that a fourfold increase in production capacity is not achievable in a matter of weeks.

The SAMP/T system is strategically important for Ukraine, as it is one of the few air defense systems capable of intercepting short-range ballistic missiles. This new battery will be Ukraine’s second SAMP/T system; the first was jointly assembled by Italy and France and delivered to Ukraine in early 2023 to protect cities and industrial sites from Russian missile attacks. Initially, there were reports suggesting that the system would be provided from Italy’s existing stock, but the latest statement from the defense minister indicates a shift towards new production.