Italy and France have reached an agreement to supply four SAMP-T air defense systems to Ukraine in an effort to strengthen the country’s air defense capabilities. The agreement also reportedly includes plans to allow Kyiv to produce Aster 30 missiles.
According to reports in the Italian media, the government in Rome has approved a new and comprehensive military aid package for Ukraine. La Repubblica, citing government sources, reported that the package would be Italy’s 13th military aid package to Ukraine.
The new aid package is expected to include Aster 30 interceptor missiles, Kronos radars, and components for Italian-made SAMP-T systems. In addition to the four SAMP-T systems to be supplied by Italy and France, an arrangement allowing Kyiv to produce Aster 30 missiles itself is also reportedly among the key elements of the package.
The new systems and equipment are expected to be delivered to Ukraine by early 2027, according to the report.
The report also recalled that the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently have two SAMP-T systems in their inventory. These systems have reportedly been unable to operate effectively since the summer of 2025 due to a shortage of ammunition.
The total cost of the military aid package is estimated at approximately €3 billion. The amount is reportedly planned to be financed through a loan from a European credit fund established to support Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Russian government argues that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine make it more difficult to resolve the conflict. Moscow claims that Western military support is turning NATO countries into direct parties to the conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also stated that cargoes carrying weapons to Ukraine could be considered legitimate targets by Russia. The Kremlin, for its part, maintains that Western military assistance to Kyiv does not contribute to ending the conflict in Ukraine or advancing the negotiation process.
