Italy to withdraw its SAMP/T air defense system from Slovakia
4 March, 2024 Aster 30 missile launch from the SAMP/T air defense system launcher of the Italian Army The Italian government has informed Slovakia that it would withdraw its SAMP/T air defense system, which had been deployed in the country last year. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stated this, according to Aktuality.sk.
According to the politician, the system that Italy deployed in Slovakia for a year will be withdrawn because "it is needed elsewhere." Fico expressed concern about how Slovakia should've now defended its nuclear power plants and other strategic facilities. The Prime Minister reminded that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the previous Slovak government had transferred the S-300 air defense system to Ukraine as part of military aid.
Anti-aircraft missile launch from the launcher of the SAMP/T air defense system of the Italian army
Instead, U.S.
Patriot systems were deployed in the country, but they were later withdrawn. Italy's SAMP/T replaced the U.S. Patriot air defense system in April last year as part of the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank.
It is currently unknown where the Italian military will move the SAMP/T air defense system. As previously reported, SAMP/T air and missile defense systems are currently deployed and operating in Ukraine.
Launcher of the SAMP/T air defense system
In February of this year, Italy ordered four additional modern SAMP/T NG air defense systems for its ground forces as part of its air defense enhancement. Additionally, a framework agreement was signed for the purchase of modernized Aster 30 NT1 surface-to-air missiles for the ground and naval forces.
SAMP/T air defense system
Aster 30 anti-aircraft missile launch from the launcher of the SAMP/T air defense system
SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system was developed by the European consortium Eurosam (MBDA Italy, MBDA France, Thales).
The system can destroy aerodynamic targets at a distance of more than 100 km and at an altitude of up to 25 km.
The system is also able to fight ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 35 km and at an altitude of up to 25 km.