Italy and France are completing preparations for sending the SAMP-T air defense system to Ukraine

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani, said that, together with France, they are completing the preparation of the SAMP-T air defense system, which will be handed over to Ukraine.

He told about this in an interview with Corriere della Sera.

"In cooperation with France, we are finalizing the shipment of the SAMP-T, and in any case there are other actions that we are working on confidentially," Tajani said.

He also said that Italy has already provided Ukraine with five packages of military aid worth about one billion euros and is currently preparing the sixth package, which includes air defense systems.

• At the end of October, the government of Ukraine submitted a request to Italy for SAMP-T air defense systems, which operate at a range of 80 km. The air defense system has a minimum reaction time and a high rate of fire (eight missiles can be launched in 10 seconds).
• On December 14, French Ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Ponsin said that France and Italy approved Ukraineʼs request for the supply of Mamba air defense systems (SAMP-T).