The Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto in Ramstein he spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksi Rezhnikov and to follow with the NATO secretary Jens Stoltenberg. The Italian position expressed by the Minister of Defense: “Italy will send further aid when the sixth decree is approved. He's already done five. Let's say that both Ukraine and other countries are satisfied with the help that Italy has provided and will continue to provide".
Ukraine is clear in its demands: “Ukraine continues to ask for the possibility of defending itself against air missile attacks and defending itself against the Russian counter-offensive which is expected to start with the passing of winter and the beginning of spring. We know that Russia is training 300 new recruits and is preparing to launch a land attack. In the space of a few weeks, therefore, Ukraine would find itself in the need to protect itself on two fronts. That's why Zelensky has continued to ask for air defense systems and means for covering himself on the ground for some months now, such as tanks, armored personnel carriers and troop transport vehicles. Furthermore, the demand for materials for civilian use, such as tents and clothing, remains strong”.
Il sixth decree it will be launched between Wednesday and Thursday next week, after a preliminary assessment by Copasir. The text, according to some rumors leaked and reported by the Republic, will contain the supply of Asp, surface-to-air missiles useful for defending an entire city. As for the missile shield Samp-T, the matter takes longer because the delivery will be joint with the French. Reason why the system cannot be included in this decree, but in a subsequent provision. Before proceeding, we will have to wait for the bilateral between the Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto and the French colleague Sébastien Lecornu. The announcement will be made in a joint press conference.
They probably will four Aspide batteries complete with radars, each with 18 missiles and a range of twenty kilometers, useful for defending a city from Russian drones and missiles.
The air and missile defense system, flagship of the Italian defense, the Samp-T, will be placed in Slovakia where there is a battery Patriot which will be turned over to Germany, where Zelensky's specialists will learn how to use it, before transporting it to the Ukraine. There was talk of sending a second unit of Samp-T, but now it seems unlikely.
Samp-T
Italy and France will proceed with a joint delivery of the sophisticated surface-to-air missile system of which Italy and France have few units (6 for Italy and 10 for France).
The Samp-T battery (equipped with 32 Aster30 missiles) has limited capabilities against ballistic missiles, but it is a powerful system against aircraft, drones and cruise missiles, it can easily defend a large city like Kiev (city subject to a probable next offensive by Fly). The control center allows you to keep under control 130 different targets and launch together ten missiles against as many targets.
The Italian Defense has five operational batteries, plus one for training. The latter is missing the vehicle with the Aster missile launchers. Already the Draghi government wanted to deliver the training battery which is still being updated by the Army today so that it can also be used against ballistic missiles. If the joint operation goes ahead, the French would supply the launchers and missile stocks.
Samp-T battery