Italy to Provide Ukraine With Aster 30 Missiles and Four SAMP/T NG Systems — La Repubblica

The Italian government is preparing its 13th military aid package for Ukraine, which will include advanced surface-to-air missile systems, interceptor missiles and radar stations.

La Repubblica reported this news.

According to the newspaper’s sources, the decision was made in secret, while the government officially announced only the transfer of civilian power generators to support Ukraine’s population.

The new aid package includes four SAMP/T NG air defense systems, as well as Aster 30 interceptor missiles.

Along with the systems, Ukraine is to receive seven long-range radars, six of which will be manufactured by French company Thales and one by Italian defense company Leonardo.

Italy and France also plan to provide Ukraine with a license for the localized production of Aster 30 B1NT missiles.

To meet the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Italy will transfer some Aster 30 missiles from its own stockpiles as early as October this year.

All new systems and related equipment, including the ordered systems, are expected to be fully delivered to Ukraine by 2027.

The total cost of the defense program is expected to reach nearly €3 billion and will be financed through European Union loans.

Ukraine is also expected to receive one SAMP/T system and new air defense radars from France this fall.

However, it is unknown whether these are additional systems or the same ones included in the Italian package.

Ukraine also already has a contract for the production of additional Aster 30 missiles. The parties plan to sign the relevant agreements in September, while Ukraine will be able to finance the procurement through a European loan.