France delays decision of SAMP/T missile system supplies to Ukraine
2 Min Read
Several EU nations including Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania possess Patriot air defense systems but are hesitant to deliver them to Ukraine.
-
A Medium-Range air and missile defense SAMP/T, christened MAMBA by the French Air Force, is parked at the International Paris Air Show at the Paris Le Bourget airport, Monday, June 19, 2023 (AP)
France is unable to provide a definitive answer regarding the provision of new supplies of the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine at present, the French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday.
During the recent G7 foreign ministers' meeting on the Italian island of Capri, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reportedly urged his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne to provide Ukraine with the new French SAMP/T Mamba system, which is akin to the US Patriot systems in function.
"We are working on this within the French administration, in collaboration with our Italian partners, but an immediate response is not forthcoming," disclosed an unnamed French official to Le Monde. France had supplied Ukraine with a SAMP/T system last year.
Read more: Delayed aid left Ukrainians outgunned for four months: Stoltenberg
The newspaper also revealed, citing a German diplomat, that several EU nations including Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania possess Patriot air defense systems but are hesitant to deliver them to Ukraine.
NATO is currently working on providing air defense systems, including Patriot, SAMP/T, NASAMS, AMRAAM, RST systems to Ukraine - Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) April 19, 2024
According to him, at the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, several NATO allies "made concrete commitments," which… pic.twitter.com/dSGTWgVMU4
On April 12, French newspaper Le Figaro reported, citing insider sources, that Kiev had solicited Paris' assistance in fortifying Ukrainian military positions on the battlefield this year to pave the way for a new counteroffensive in 2025.
The report pointed out Ukraine's urgent requirement for the SAMP/T air defense system and compatible missiles. But despite governmental pressure from France, missile manufacturer MBDA is currently unable to expedite the supply of more Aster 30 missiles for the system in the short term, as they are also in demand by the French military for its own operations.
Read more: Former Russian diplomat to Al Mayadeen: Ukraine's army to collapse
