Ukraine urgently seeks additional Aster-30 missiles from Europe amid dwindling supplies

Ukraine has made an urgent appeal to Italy and France for additional Aster-30 missiles to sustain the European Samp-T air defence batteries, with current stocks nearing depletion.

The request highlights the growing urgency as Ukraine faces escalating aerial threats, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Ukrainian authorities have been pressing both countries for at least 50 Aster-30 missiles over the past several weeks. However, the Italian government has been hesitant to commit, as its own stockpile of these critical missiles is approaching the untouchable reserve level, essential for Italy’s own national defence. France, while possessing a larger reserve of Aster-30 missiles, is also constrained by certain limitations, complicating its ability to meet Ukraine's demands.

Ukraine's Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, met with his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, in Rome on March 14, and engaged with the leadership of Eurosam—a joint venture between MBDA Italy, MBDA France, and Thales that manufactures Aster-30 missiles. The discussions centered on securing additional missiles as part of Ukraine’s broader efforts to replenish its air defence systems.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported on March 8 that the Samp-T missile system, while effective, does not fully match the capabilities of the American Patriot batteries, particularly when it comes to identifying and intercepting Russian missiles during large-scale attacks. This limitation has heightened the urgency for Ukraine to restock its missile reserves as Russia intensifies its bombardments.

In the face of this mounting pressure, Ukrainian officials are increasingly anxious to secure new supplies of the Aster-30 missiles. As one military expert noted, "At this stage, with the Russians intensifying their bombardments, any air defence system becomes precious."

Italy, which has already supplied Ukraine with two Samp-T batteries, is facing its own challenges. According to Corriere della Sera, the Italian government’s defence strategy, presented in November 2024, includes plans to procure 10 more Samp-T systems, each costing approximately €500 million. However, with three Samp-T batteries already reserved for Italy's own needs, the country’s ability to meet Ukraine’s demands remains uncertain.

As the conflict continues, the race to secure sufficient air defence resources has become a critical factor in Ukraine’s ability to safeguard its skies from Russian missile attacks.

By Vafa Guliyeva