Italy May Halt Aster Missile Deliveries to Ukraine as Defense Minister Warns Stocks Must Be Kept at Home

Italy could soon suspend further deliveries of Aster air defense missiles to Ukraine, possibly with immediate effect, as dwindling stocks force Rome to prioritize its own military needs, Italian news agency ANSA reported on November 10. ⠀ Defense Minister Guido Crosetto acknowledged the shortage when asked whether Italy had enough Aster missiles left to send to Kyiv. “We have some to keep for ourselves,” he said, declining to reveal the contents of the government’s latest military aid package. ⠀ The missiles are used by the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system, which Italy has previously supplied to Ukraine. ANSA reported that the next shipment could still include components needed to keep those systems operational, even if additional interceptor missiles are unavailable. ⠀ Rome is also expected to send generators and equipment to help repair Ukrainian energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks. Italian defense officials have warned that domestic manufacturers may be unable to replenish depleted missile stocks quickly enough. ⠀ The shortage comes as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government faces internal disagreements over military assistance to Kyiv. Matteo Salvini’s League party opposes extending the authorization for weapons deliveries into 2027, while Meloni insists Italy’s position on supporting Ukraine will not change. ⠀ Crosetto presented Italy’s 13th military aid package to a parliamentary security committee on November 10. Its contents remain classified, and no formal decision to halt Aster deliveries has been announced.