United to win: Italy to transfer SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine by September’s end

By the end of September 2024, Ukraine will receive the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile complex promised by Italy.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated this, according to Rai News.

At the European conference dedicated to the production of air defense equipment, Crosetto announced that "by the end of the month, the new SAMP/T anti-aircraft complex will be delivered to Ukraine."

"We know how much every minute of delay costs," the Italian defense minister added.

The day before, Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, stated that Ukraine would receive SAMP/T "in the near future."

For reference:

SAMP-T is a long-range anti-aircraft missile system developed by the Eurosam consortium (MBDA Italy, MBDA France, Thales). The system can destroy aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 150 km at an altitude of up to 25 km. The complex can also combat ballistic missiles at a distance and height of up to 25 km.

The air defense system is based on the French solid-propellant anti-aircraft missile Aster-30. The rocket's speed is 4.5M (1400 m/s). The warhead weighs 20 kg, and the starting mass is 450 kg.

SAMP-T is in service with Italy, France, and Singapore.

The SAMP/T system, or MAMBA, is a Franco-Italian battery that can track dozens of targets and intercept 10 simultaneously. This is the only European-made system that can intercept ballistic missiles.