Italy will manufacture a new SAMP/T air defense system battery for Ukraine instead of transferring a ready-made system from its own stockpiles.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced this in Prague during the GLOBSEC Global Security Forum.
He explained that the Italian defense industry is delaying the supply of the air defense system designated for Ukraine, ceasing work during holidays and weekends.
"Italy is supposed to deliver an air defense system to Ukraine, but the Italian company assembling it was closed in August due to holidays and does not operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and evenings," Crosetto said at the conference.
He noted that the Italian defense industry is not adapted to wartime conditions. Crosetto emphasized that "this needs to change quickly, and Europe understands this as well." The statement by the Italian minister significantly alters the understanding of the delivery timeline for the new air defense system.
Previously, several Italian media outlets reported that the delivery would occur in a short time frame using an existing battery from the Italian armed forces.
However, Italian officials, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have not specified the source of the SAMP/T system and have declined to provide details and timelines for the delivery.
