Newspaper: Italy faces air defence shortfall after sending Stingers to Ukraine

Italy is grappling with a significant shortage of air defence equipment following its decision to send supplies to Ukraine, particularly American-made Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems.

According to Italian newspaper La Stampa, these transfers were made under pressure from the United States, which urged its allies to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, Caliber.Az reports.

In an effort to replenish its stocks, Italy placed an order worth 800 million euros with a US manufacturer. However, the previous US administration under President Joe Biden blocked the sale, citing that such weaponry was more urgently needed by other allies.

To address this gap, Italy’s military industry has initiated a domestic program to develop short-range air defence systems similar to the US models. However, the program's reliance on third-party partners and the need for foreign technology highlights Italy's lack of "technological sovereignty," resulting in the growing dependence on the US for its defence needs.

Italy’s commitment to supporting Ukraine remains strong. On December 23, 2024, the Italian cabinet approved a decree extending the supply of military aid to Ukraine through the end of 2025. This decision reaffirms Italy’s dedication to helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Italy has delivered 10 military aid packages to Kyiv. These have included advanced systems like the French-Italian SAMP/T air defence units. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office in late 2022, has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, pledging ongoing assistance until the war concludes.

In a significant development last month, Italy and Ukraine discussed using frozen Russian assets to procure Italian-made defence systems and ammunition for Ukraine. The Ukrainian government also acknowledged Italy as a "key partner" in supporting its defence efforts, as well as in securing the appropriate allocation of the EU budget to maximize Ukraine’s industrial capabilities.

In April 2024, Italy supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, further solidifying its role in aiding Ukraine's defence efforts.

By Tamilla Hasanova