Italy may suspend Aster missile supplies to Ukraine as air defense stocks run low - ANSA

The missiles are used by the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system, which Italy has previously supplied to Ukraine.

According to ANSA, the next Italian military aid package could include components needed to keep Ukraine's existing SAMP/T battery operational. However, the availability of additional Aster missiles for Ukraine may be shrinking.

The agency reported that Italy could effectively suspend further missile deliveries, either immediately or in the near future, to avoid depleting stocks needed for its own national defense.

No decision to suspend deliveries has been publicly confirmed. Italy keeps the contents of its military aid packages classified, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto declined to disclose what the next package would contain.

"I cannot reveal the contents of the package," Crosetto said, according to ANSA.

The report also cited potential difficulties in rapidly producing replacement missiles.

Italy's next aid package is expected to place substantial emphasis on generators and equipment for repairing Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which has suffered repeated Russian attacks ahead of winter.

ANSA noted that the scale of Italy's military aid packages has declined over time, but stressed that this does not mean Rome is ending its support for Ukraine.

The potential reduction in Aster supplies comes as Ukraine continues to seek additional air defense weapons from its allies to protect cities and critical infrastructure against Russian missile and drone strikes.

Germany has also warned of limits to further air defense assistance. On November 7, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin had exhausted its available resources for additional Patriot system deliveries to Ukraine.