Media: Missile shortage threatens Ukraine’s Western-supplied air defence capabilities

Ukraine is reportedly facing a severe depletion of ammunition for key Western-supplied air defence systems, raising concerns over the country’s ability to sustain its aerial defence capabilities amid ongoing conflict.

Ukraine has exhausted its missile stockpiles for the SAMP-T anti-aircraft batteries provided by Italy and France, Caliber.Az reports, citing French media.

Additionally, the country has not received any missiles for the French-made Crotale air defence systems for over a year.

This development echoes earlier reports from mid-March by Italy’s Corriere della Sera, which revealed that the two SAMP-T batteries supplied to Ukraine as part of military aid were nearing the end of their missile reserves. In 2023, France reportedly delivered two Crotale systems to Kyiv, but subsequent Russian Defence Ministry claims assert the destruction of two such units during hostilities.

“Ukraine no longer has missiles for its two SAMP-T batteries and has not received a single missile for the... Crotale,” the Le Monde report stated, highlighting a critical vulnerability in Ukraine’s air defence network.

Prior to these developments, several European nations unveiled new military aid packages for Ukraine, which notably include outdated equipment and surplus ammunition. The aid comprises decommissioned M1A1 Abrams tanks from Australia alongside air defence systems supplied by Belgium. However, the United States has yet to confirm any commitments regarding additional military resources.

Earlier assessments by Western officials had characterized Russia’s Iskander-M missile system as an “air defence nightmare,” underscoring the significant challenges Kyiv faces in countering advanced Russian weaponry.

By Vafa Guliyeva