SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile systems should be deployed on the front lines in Ukraine over the following two months.

This was stated by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the live program of the Italian TV Rai.

“I believe that it (SAMP/T SAM – ed.) will work within seven to eight weeks,” Tajani said.

He also noted that the international community should commit itself to defending Ukrainian independence and working for peace, because “Putin will certainly look for a way out” of the situation, and it is difficult to make any predictions.

On January 28, some media reported that France and Italy were preparing to transfer the SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine and had agreed to purchase 700 Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles for it.

Previously, the Foreign Minister of Italy said that Italy and France were completing preparations for sending the SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine.

The SAMP/T long-range anti-aircraft missile system was developed by the European consortium Eurosam (MBDA Italy, MBDA France, Thales).

The system can destroy aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 150 km at an altitude of up to 25 km.

The system is able to destroy ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 25 km and a similar altitude.

The SAM is built on the basis of the French Aster-30 solid-fuel anti-aircraft missile.

On February 1, 2023, the French company Thales was awarded a contract for the manufacture of two GM200 radars for Ukraine.

It can be integrated into the SAMP/T air defense system.