Zelenskyy on SAMP/T air defence missile shortage: "We've never had enough"
www.pravda.com.ua
Sat, 15 Mar 2025 18:39:50 +0200
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has explained that the shortage of missiles for the SAMP/T air defence system has always been a problem for Ukraine.
Source Zelenskyy at a briefing broadcast by Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Details Zelenskyy commented on media reports claiming that Ukraine has almost run out of SAMP/T missiles.
Quote Regarding SAMP/T missiles, weve never had enough of them.
Thats the issue with these systems.
Were grateful to Italy and France for providing us with what they have in service.
These are sophisticated systems good systems but theyre not equivalent to the Patriot.
Theyre effective and can shoot down targets, but not everything the Patriots can intercept.
We appreciate these systems and dont want to specify the regions, but they have been, and continue to be, helpful.
There is one problem with these systems a significant shortage of missiles, which has always been a constant issue.
However, I dont want Italy or France to feel offended, as they have provided us with these systems and missiles.
Details Zelenskyy noted that one of the things the war taught Ukraine was where you can take a licence from a partner, take it, we will do it faster.
I didnt receive these licences, though I really wanted them it was essential Patriot, SAMP/T, Hawk.
While many countries gave us Hawk systems, they werent new and werent in service, but they worked.
We accepted them because we knew where to find missilesthere are many Hawk missiles worldwide.
With SAMP/T, its more challenging.
Patriot could serve as a replacement for SAMP/T, as they belong to the same class, Zelenskyy said.
He cited the example of agreements with Germany on the IRIST air defence system.
Quote We can negotiate with them because they fully produce these systems, which allows us to rely on a consistent monthly supply of IRIST.
There are also systems that depend on the political will of four countries to provide us with licences.
We are gradually making progress in this area.
Previously Corriere della Sera reported that Ukraine has urged the governments of Italy and France to urgently supply additional Aster30 missiles for SAMP/T antiaircraft batteries, as the current stockpile is nearly depleted.
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