Italy to supply Ukraine with artillery and Israeli-sourced drones, media report says
Read also: Italian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine in early 2023
According to the report, the upcoming package of Italian security assistance may include a batch of Hero-30 loitering UAVs, which are assembled from Israeli-made parts. It’s unclear if Israel has signed off on the transfer.
The article goes on to say that Ukraine’s anti-air capabilities will be substantially improved with Italy and France jointly providing one SAMP-T battery – a European equivalent of U.S.-made Patriot system. SAMP-T has a range of 100 kilometers, and is capable of intercepting even ballistic missiles.
Besides SAMP-T and short-range Aspide SAM systems, Rome will also deliver an unspecified number of artillery systems to Ukraine.
The aid package is expected to get finalized within two weeks, and signals Western partners transitioning from merely “helping save Ukraine” to “helping it win,” the newspaper writes.
Read also: Italy to transfer SAMP/T air defense battery to Ukraine
“Italy will continue its role in supporting the Ukrainian people amid the Russian attack,” the article quotes Deputy Defense Minister Matteo Perego.
Read also: Italy to decide on military aid to Ukraine in February, reports La Repubblica
“Apart from the training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the national territory, Rome provides particular assistance to the Ukrainian military engaged in the field: their operations against the Russians are guided ‘remotely’ thanks to intelligence information and satellite systems,” Corriere della Sera outlines Italy’s role is NATO allies sharing battlefield intelligence with the Ukrainian military.
On Jan. 24, Italy’s lower parliamentary chamber approved the government’s plan for 2023 military aid to Ukraine.
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
