Italy and France are planning to deliver four SAMP/T NG air defence system batteries and seven long-range radars to Ukraine to reinforce the protection of its cities, according to Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica.
The military equipment package is valued at approximately three billion euros and will be funded through a 90 billion euro loan allocated to Kyiv.
While official announcements currently focus primarily on generators and civilian population assistance, the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is preparing the new shipment of anti-missile systems. The agreement with Paris aims to operationalise enhanced defence coverage for Ukrainian urban centres against incoming aerial threats.
The core of the shipment consists of the four SAMP/T NG batteries alongside seven long-range radars. These radar units are designed to detect and intercept Russian ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other munitions.
Interceptor missile deliveries
To enable the protective shield to function immediately, interceptor missiles are required. Rome is prepared to supply an initial batch of Aster-30 interceptor missiles from its military stocks and send them to Ukraine before October. Paris intends to take the same step on a matching timeframe.
The SAMP/T NG platform, short for Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain New Generation, is a theater air defence system developed jointly by France and Italy. It relies on Aster-30 missiles to intercept targets including tactical ballistic missiles, aircraft, and drones at long ranges.
European financial and humanitarian support
The planned air defence shipment follows broader financial commitments to Kyiv from European allies. Norway is set to provide more than nine billion dollars in financial assistance to Ukraine in 2027, with financial support for Kyiv next year totalling 85 billion Norwegian kroner, or 9.2 billion dollars.
Germany is also prepared to allocate 50 million euros to Ukraine in humanitarian aid. The funding will be channelled to humanitarian organisations providing urgent assistance to communities operating near the front line.
