Italy to Covertly Send Ukraine Interceptors and Air Defense Systems

Italy has quietly prepared a substantial new air defense package for Ukraine, including Aster 30 interceptors taken from military stocks, radar equipment and components for additional SAMP/T batteries.

The measures are expected to form the core of Rome’s 13th Ukraine aid decree, which has been prepared in detail and is due to be formalized.

Kyiv has been promised that the package will become operational by October, according to la Repubblica.

Air Defense at the Center

Italy's contribution focuses on defensive systems designed to counter Russian missile and drone attacks.

The package includes SAMP/T NG equipment capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, Aster 30 interceptors, and radar systems used to detect incoming threats.

The broader plan follows an agreement reached in July between Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni, supported by ties between Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, previously France’s defense minister.

The systems are jointly produced by Italy and France and have no offensive role.

Ukraine already operates two SAMP/T batteries supplied by Rome and Paris, including one provided entirely by Italy.

One launcher has been photographed carrying markings attributed to destroyed Russian targets, including two Sukhoi combat aircraft, a hypersonic missile, dozens of drones and cruise missiles.

The batteries, however, have lacked ammunition since the summer of 2025 after France and Italy stopped supplying Aster 30 interceptors as their domestic stocks approached minimum levels.

Production has since accelerated, opening the way for deliveries to resume on a larger scale.

Four New SAMP/T NG Batteries

The wider Franco-Italian plan calls for the sale of four SAMP/T NG batteries financed through EU loans.

They would be accompanied by seven long-range detection radars: six produced by France’s Thales and one by Italy’s Leonardo.

Paris and Rome also intend to authorize production of Aster 30 N1BT interceptors in Ukraine, giving Kyiv domestic missile-defense capacity.

Volodymyr Zelensky has said the contracts are expected to be signed by September.

The longer-term procurement program is designed to reinforce Ukraine’s defenses while addressing its immediate shortage of operational interceptors.

Italian Missiles From Existing Stocks

Italy intends to supply Aster 30 missiles from its armed forces’ inventories by October.

Those interceptors are expected to support SAMP/T batteries already deployed in Ukraine as well as two additional systems that France plans to provide early from its own military stocks.

Paris would later replace those batteries with newly produced missile-defense versions as they leave the factories.

All equipment under the broader program, including newly manufactured systems, is expected to reach Ukraine by 2027.

If completed, the plan would give Kyiv a Franco-Italian air defense network built around six SAMP/T batteries, reducing its reliance on U.S.-made Patriot systems.

Package Worth About €3bn

The overall operation is expected to be worth close to €3bn.

Funding would come through the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan, whose refinancing was confirmed two days ago.

For Italy, the 13th aid decree is expected to include the transfer of Aster 30 interceptors from national arsenals, authorization for their production in Ukraine, a Kronos radar and Italian-made components for four SAMP/T batteries.

The program would also provide industry with operational data from the European missile-defense system and contribute to technological development linked to the Michelangelo Dome project.

Secrecy Shields the Political Decision

Rome’s use of an aid decree also carries procedural and political advantages.

It allows the government to bypass the normally lengthy process required to authorize arms exports.

More significantly, the contents remain classified.

As with previous Ukraine aid decrees issued since 2022, the package is presented to Italy’s parliamentary intelligence oversight committee, Copasir, but its details are kept secret.

The arrangement limits the risk of confrontation inside Meloni’s governing coalition.

The League opposes military support for Ukraine, while General Roberto Vannacci has adopted an even stronger position against assistance to Kyiv.

Meloni has therefore maintained a low public profile around military deliveries even as her government continues providing weapons.

Publicly, Palazzo Chigi has emphasized measures such as electricity generators intended to help Ukrainians through winter power shortages.

Behind that messaging, however, Rome is preparing a considerably larger military contribution centered on missiles, radars and air defense systems.