An Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reported on March 14, 2025, that the two SAMP/T air defense systems supplied to Ukraine by Italy and France are nearly out of missiles. This development has raised concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend its airspace amid ongoing Russian aerial attacks.
Italy is considering donating a SAMP/T SAM system to Ukraine
Pkote credit: Twitter
The report highlights that Italy’s own reserves of these missiles have reached a critical warning level, with the remaining stock reserved for protecting sensitive national targets. France, however, is said to have a somewhat larger stockpile, though it too faces challenges in meeting Ukraine’s urgent requests for more munitions.
As the war in Ukraine stretches into its third year, this shortage underscores broader logistical and production hurdles faced by Western allies supporting Kyiv against Moscow’s aggression.
🇮🇹🇫🇷🇺🇦 The two SAMP/T Anti-Aircraft Batteries in Ukraine have all but run out of missiles, with France and Italy not capable of providing replacements fast enough.https://t.co/PBRJnhTZbH
— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) March 15, 2025
The Corriere della Sera article cites Ukrainian appeals to both Italy and France for at least 50 additional Aster-30 missiles, which are used by the SAMP/T systems, to keep them operational. These systems were delivered to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russian drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats, which have intensified in recent months.
Italy, having already provided two of its five SAMP/T batteries, is now left with just three to safeguard its own territory, pushing its reserves to a minimum threshold. French officials have not publicly detailed their remaining stockpiles, but sources suggest they retain a modest surplus compared to their Italian counterparts.
The situation has sparked a debate in both countries about balancing national security needs with their commitments to Ukraine, especially as Russian forces continue to target Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Adding to the complexity, a separate report from The Wall Street Journal earlier this month cast doubt on the SAMP/T’s performance in Ukraine. The American publication, citing unnamed sources familiar with the systems’ deployment, described their effectiveness as disappointing when compared to the U.S.-made Patriot air defense batteries also in use by Ukrainian forces.
According to the Journal, the SAMP/T systems, each equipped with six launch platforms, have struggled to detect and intercept Russian missiles, particularly during large-scale, multi-target attacks. The report suggests that software glitches may have hampered the systems’ ability to track incoming threats, a problem that has reportedly left Ukrainian operators frustrated.
In contrast, the Patriot systems, which have been widely praised by Ukrainian officials, are credited with successfully downing advanced Russian munitions, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
The Wall Street Journal’s claims have stirred discussion among defense experts and policymakers. While the Patriot has a longer combat record and a robust supply chain backed by the United States, the SAMP/T was expected to offer a comparable European alternative.
Each SAMP/T battery typically includes a radar, a command module, and six launchers, capable of firing Aster-30 missiles designed to intercept aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 120 kilometers. Yet, the Journal’s sources indicate that the system’s performance in Ukraine has fallen short of expectations, particularly under the stress of Russia’s evolving tactics.
Ukrainian air defenses have faced an onslaught of over 1,000 missiles and drones in the past six months alone, according to Ukrainian military data, a volume that may have exposed weaknesses in the SAMP/T’s design or integration.
On March 14, the same day the Corriere della Sera piece was published, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, in Rome to discuss these pressing issues. The meeting, held at the Italian Ministry of Defense, focused on securing additional military aid for Ukraine in 2025, with a particular emphasis on air defense capabilities.
Umerov expressed gratitude for the SAMP/T systems already delivered, noting their role in protecting Ukrainian skies, but stressed the urgent need for more missiles to sustain their operation. Crosetto, in turn, reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, though he acknowledged the strain on Italy’s own defenses.
The ministers also explored potential joint industrial projects with Italian defense firms like Leonardo, which co-produces the SAMP/T with French company Thales through the Eurosam consortium. No firm commitments on missile deliveries were announced, but the talks underscored the growing pressure on European allies to step up as U.S. aid faces political uncertainties.
The SAMP/T, officially known as the Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain, is a sophisticated air defense system developed jointly by France and Italy. Introduced in the early 2000s, it was designed to counter a wide range of aerial threats, from low-flying aircraft to short-range ballistic missiles.
The system’s core component is the Aster-30 missile, which comes in two main variants: the Aster-30 Block 1, optimized for aerodynamic targets like planes and cruise missiles, and the Aster-30 Block 1NT, an upgraded version capable of engaging ballistic missiles with greater precision.
Each missile features an active radar seeker and a hit-to-kill warhead, allowing it to destroy targets through direct impact rather than relying solely on explosive fragmentation. The SAMP/T’s Arabel radar provides 360-degree coverage and can track multiple targets simultaneously, feeding data to the launchers, which hold eight missiles each.
In its standard configuration, a SAMP/T battery consists of one Arabel multifunction radar, a command-and-control module, and six truck-mounted vertical launchers. The system is highly mobile, allowing it to be deployed quickly in response to threats, and it can operate independently or as part of a networked defense grid.
The Aster-30 Block 1 has a range of about 120 kilometers against aircraft and 20-30 kilometers against ballistic missiles, depending on the target’s speed and trajectory. The Block 1NT variant extends this capability, with improvements to its seeker and software aimed at countering more advanced threats.
Eurosam, the manufacturer, touts the SAMP/T as a cost-effective alternative to the Patriot, with each battery priced at roughly $500 million, though the missiles themselves cost around $2 million apiece. In Ukraine, the systems have been tasked with defending key urban centers and infrastructure, a mission that has tested their limits against Russia’s relentless bombardment.
The SAMP/T’s deployment in Ukraine marked its first real combat experience, unlike the Patriot, which has seen action in conflicts from the Gulf War to recent operations in the Middle East. This lack of battle-tested reliability may partly explain the challenges reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Defense analysts note that the system’s Aster missiles employ a “shoot-see-shoot” doctrine, firing one missile per target and assessing the result before launching another, which is intended to conserve ammunition.
By contrast, the Patriot often uses a “shoot-shoot-see” approach, firing two missiles to ensure a hit, a method that consumes more munitions but may be more effective in chaotic, high-volume engagements.
Ukrainian officials have not publicly confirmed the Journal’s claims, but their repeated calls for more Patriot batteries—alongside the SAMP/T shortages—suggest a preference for the American system in critical areas like Kyiv.
Italy’s contribution to Ukraine’s defense has been significant but constrained by its own needs. With only five SAMP/T batteries in its arsenal before the war, the donation of two units represented a substantial commitment. The Italian military relies on these systems to protect strategic sites, including Rome and key NATO installations, leaving little room for further transfers without compromising national security.
France, which operates a dozen SAMP/T batteries, has more flexibility, though it too must weigh its obligations to NATO and its domestic defense posture. Both countries have signaled plans to increase production of Aster missiles, but scaling up manufacturing is a slow process, hampered by supply chain bottlenecks and the high cost of advanced components.
Eurosam has announced upgrades to the SAMP/T, including the forthcoming SAMP/T NG variant with enhanced radar and missile capabilities, but these improvements are years away from deployment.
The missile shortage and performance questions come at a pivotal moment for Ukraine. Russian forces have escalated their air campaign, launching an average of 100 drones and missiles per week in early 2025, according to Ukrainian military estimates. This barrage has strained Ukraine’s air defenses, which also include Soviet-era S-300 systems and Western-supplied NASAMS and IRIS-T batteries.
The depletion of SAMP/T munitions could leave gaps in coverage, particularly against ballistic threats, which have targeted energy facilities and civilian areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged allies to provide more air defense systems and ammunition, warning that delays could cede Russia the upper hand in the skies by spring.
As of March 15, 2025, the situation remains fluid. Italy and France are under pressure to respond to Ukraine’s pleas, but their ability to do so hinges on domestic priorities and industrial capacity. The Rome meeting between Umerov and Crosetto offered no immediate solutions, though it opened the door to future cooperation.
Meanwhile, the SAMP/T’s struggles, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, have fueled a broader conversation about Europe’s reliance on American systems like the Patriot and the challenges of sustaining high-tech military aid in a prolonged conflict. For now, Ukraine’s defenders are left to make do with dwindling resources, a reality that could shape the war’s trajectory in the months ahead.
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