Italy reported a shortage of air defense assets due to their transfer to Ukraine

The Italian Armed Forces are experiencing an acute shortage of air defense equipment after some of it was transferred as military aid to Ukraine. This was reported by Pravda Italia on February 19.

According to the mass media, the issue concerns, in particular, American Stinger air defense missile systems (SAMs), which were sent to Ukraine at the request of the USA.

The Italian authorities tried to replenish the stocks by ordering a batch of SAMs from the manufacturer for €800 million. However, the administration of then-President Joe Biden vetoed the sale, motivating the decision by the fact that this type of weapon is more necessary for "other allies."

Italy has since launched its own program to produce similar short-range air defense systems. However, the local military industry cannot meet the deadline for its implementation due to the lack of "technological sovereignty" and "dependence on the U.S." in matters of defense, the publication notes.

Arms slump: Italy may change stance on support for Ukraine

Rome awaits the arrival of the new Trump administration, while the opposition is already opposing aid to Kiev

In December 2024, a source in the Italian opposition party Five Star Movement told Izvestia that this political force would fight against arms supplies to Ukraine. The newspaper Il Foglio also cited data according to which Italy has sent nine aid packages to Ukraine totaling €2.2bn since the start of the special military operation (SMO).