Media: Italy readies aid package for Ukraine containing munitions and air defence missiles

Italy is preparing its 12th military aid package for Ukraine, focusing on munitions and missiles for SAMP/T air defence systems.

Bloomberg sources told Bloomberg that the package could be ready by the end of the year, depending on parliamentary procedures. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has sent 11 aid packages since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with a total value of between €2.5 and €3 billion.

Italy is also reported to have transferred two SAMP/T air defence systems to Kyiv. Details of the packages are usually kept strictly confidential.

These steps demonstrate Meloni's unwavering support for Ukraine, despite Italy's limited budgetary resources.

The Italian government is also weighing the activation of a national escape clause for defence spending, which would lift restrictions once the excessive budget deficit procedure concludes, the sources added. Both measures are set out in EU budget rules and permit higher defence funding.

In addition, Italy has signalled its readiness to join NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirement List (PURL) initiative to purchase American weapons, particularly Patriot air defence missiles, with European funds, Bloomberg reports.

The sources said the amount of Italy's contribution has not yet been determined.

Media reports suggest that states not yet participating in the PURL programme are facing significant pressure.