The US is asking Italy to speed up the next military aid package for Ukraine.

It may include SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems.

This is reported by La Repubblica.

It is noted that the US President's National Security Assistant Jake Sullivan and the Italian Prime Minister's diplomatic adviser Francesco Talo spoke by phone on January 5.

In particular, the representatives of the two countries discussed the supply of weapons to Ukraine.

It was about a battery of SAMP-T complexes.

Italy has not yet approved a sixth military aid package, but may do so soon.

The publication notes that Italy currently has five operational SAMP-T air defense batteries and one training one that lacks a launcher.

However, work on its modernization has been going on for several months.

It should be noted that the SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile complex belongs to the "air-to-air" class.

The target detection range is 80 km.

This air defense system has a minimum reaction time and a high rate of fire.

It can fire eight missiles in ten seconds.

SAMP-T can protect military units or infrastructure facilities.

With the help of this installation, you can destroy aircraft, as well as shoot down cruise and anti-radar missiles.

It will be recalled that earlier military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko suggested that Western allies could provide Ukraine with a powerful SAMP-T air defense system in the first quarter of 2023.

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