Reuters: Italian government prepares new military aid package for Ukraine

4 December, 2024 155mm artillery rounds. Photo credits: Brian E. Christiansen/Flickr

The Italian government is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine. It will be the tenth aid package since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Reuters reported on this, citing its own sources.

According to two informed sources, the Italian government plans to approve the arms package by the end of December 2024. However, they declined to provide further details. Military assistance from Italy since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 has been quite significant.

However, unlike other countries, the Italian government rarely announces arms transfers to Ukraine. All information on this is classified.

Italy's assistance

Italy, together with France, has already delivered one SAMP/T battery to Ukraine. Italy has also announced the transfer of an additional battery of this air defense system to Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia's constant missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian critical infrastructure.

The Italian SAMP/T is a strategically important system for strengthening Ukraine's air defense, as it is one of the few air defense systems capable of intercepting short-range ballistic missiles within a radius of 25 km from the launch site. It is also capable of destroying aerodynamic targets at a distance of 100+ km.

Aster 30 missile launch from the SAMP/T TEL of the Italian army

In addition, the Italian media reported that Italy was providing Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles as part of its military assistance.

SCALP cruise missile. The photo is illustrative

At the same time, the Italian government has not officially announced the transfer of missiles of this type to Ukraine.

The Franco-British Storm Shadow/SCALP EG is a long-range air-to-ground air-launched cruise search missile. It is designed to overcome air defense systems and destroy important stationary targets, including bunkers.

Italian VCC-2 armored personnel carrier. Photo credits: National Police

Italian VCC-2 tracked armored personnel carriers have been put into service with the newly formed Donechchyna Special Forces Battalion of the National Police of Ukraine.

It is unclear whether the armored vehicles were part of military aid from Italy or were officially purchased by Ukraine or one of the charitable organizations that supports the Ukrainian Defense Forces.