Italy’s 13th Ukraine Aid Package Delayed

Approval of Italy’s 13th military aid package for Ukraine, expected to include Aster 30 missiles used in SAMP/T air defence systems, has been delayed. Reports based on La Repubblica say the package is ready but final signatures have not been given because of political disputes in the government.

Why It Was Delayed

According to UNITED24 Media, citing La Repubblica, the decree needs signatures from Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti. Giorgetti is reportedly hesitant because of opposition from Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini to further arms for Ukraine. Crosetto reportedly said privately that a political obstacle remains, which officials read as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office not yet giving final approval.

The government is reportedly waiting for the outcome of the US midterms on 3 November; the package had already slipped from July to September and then to after the League congress. With four days left in October, the parliamentary intelligence committee Copasir had not been convened to review the decree. Italy has not sent a new military aid package to Ukraine since December 2025.

What Is Expected in the Package

The package is expected to include Aster 30 missiles to strengthen the air defences protecting Kyiv and other cities from Russian attacks. According to the reports, only Italy and France can supply these missiles. An earlier UNITED24 report said the package would also include four SAMP/T NG batteries and seven long-range radars; that content is not officially confirmed.

Promises Made

The government reportedly assured French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the package would be approved by the end of October, with Italy and France committed to supplying the missiles by then; that timeline now appears to be slipping. Foreign Minister Tajani reportedly told ANSA on 26 October that the package is ready.

After Russia’s large-scale attack on Kyiv (in Turkish), Zelensky called for faster air-defence deliveries.

Note

The report rests on Italian press accounts (La Repubblica, as relayed by UNITED24 Media, Militarnyi and Defence Blog). The Italian government has not officially confirmed the delay; the package’s content and timing may change.

Originally reported by Envanter Medya.