Missiles. We need a lot of them, and immediately,Ukraine to defend cities from Russian bombing. “We have the Patriots, we have the anti-missile systems, we have to take them out of the warehouses and send them to Ukraine.” It is a rough appeal, that of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell from the G7 in Capri. It goes hand in hand with the request for help to Italy launched there, on the island off the coast of Naples, by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. “The number one priority is air defense, they are the American Patriots and the Samp/T, the Franco-Italian air defense system,” explains Zelensky’s envoy between one break and another at the summit of the Western greats chaired in Capri by Antonio Tajani. «We focus on them for a simple reason: they are the only systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles», he adds.
Patriot and Samp/T missiles, Ukraine claims them to defend itself from Russian fire: who has them and what are they for
THE APPEAL
He turns to Rome, Ukraine wounded by two years of war with Vladimir Putin. But it will not be possible at the moment to comply with the request. Italy has already sent a battery of Samp-Ts to Ukraine, the Italian-French anti-missile system that creates an air “shield” around sensitive targets. And for now it will stop here. There are five batteries currently available in Italy, plus another used for exercises. They won’t move a meter: they serve to protect the country during the major international summits expected in the coming months. Above all, the G7 in Borgo Egnazia, the gathering of Western leaders, from Biden to Macron, in the Apulian town near Bari, on June 13th. It is up to Italy, which has the rotating presidency, to ensure that not a fly flies over the Apulian skies in those two days awaited with bated breath by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the entire government. Another battery of Samp-Ts, explain military sources, was deployed to protect the summit of foreign ministers in Capri. And again, Samp-T will be needed to ensure the protection of the parade of world leaders expected in Rome, or rather in the Vatican, on the occasion of the 2025 Jubilee.
In March, the Italian Defense withdrew the battery positioned on the Slovakian border a year ago, to free and send the American Patriots deployed on the NATO border to Ukraine. An expected return, they explained from Rome. But the Slovak (and pro-Russian) president Robert Fico, irritated, gave another version: “They need it in another place.” Big events work against Zelensky. Not only in Italy: even in France there is not a Samp-T battery that can be demobilized to date, because they are already deployed for the July Olympics and to protect nuclear power plants. An almost infallible umbrella – the range of action is one hundred kilometers, but the precision is maximum in the first twenty-five – and therefore indispensable for the Ukrainian cities under fire. The political line in Rome has never changed. From Brussels, to the European Council, Meloni reiterated the effort: “We will do everything we can.” The ninth military aid package is being prepared and will also contain air defense equipment. But no Samp-T.
THE OUTPUT
There is another problem: the industry. Yesterday the Minister of Defense vented his anger against the producers – at the top of the list is Mbda, even if he doesn’t name any names – which are moving too slowly. “I’m angry, Italy ordered Samp-T systems two years ago, the industry that has the order says it will deliver them in three years: do you think the country can be defended in these times?”. The alarm has a background. The rain of Iranian missiles and drones against Israel – shot down by the formidable Iron Dome system and anti-aircraft fire – shocked the NATO countries. “If it happens to us, are we ready?”, the recurring question among military leaders. It is a critical phase for Ukraine and for Europe grappling with its political and industrial limits. One umbrella is not enough for everyone.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
