In an article released by the Italian newspaper, “La Stampa” on May 15, 2023, it was confirmed that Ukraine has received its first French/Italian SAMP/T air defense missile system. This development is a significant step in bolstering the Ukrainian military’s air defense capabilities, which has been a matter of high priority due to sustained aerial aggression from Russian forces.
Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has faced multiple attacks from Russian ballistic missiles and drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones. The assault reached a peak on May 15, 2023, when Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, experienced an intense aerial strike. This was characterized by a Ukrainian military official as an “exceptional” barrage involving an unprecedented number of missiles fired from various directions within a brief period.
The United States and its NATO allies have been steadfast in their support of Ukraine, providing various air defense missile systems such as the Patriot MIM-104, IRIS-T SLM, Crotale NG, and Hawk among others. The UK has recently added to this support with the delivery of Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The newly arrived SAMP/T will further enhance the air defense capabilities of the Ukrainian military.