Italy Takes Delivery of Advanced Air Defense Capabilities Amid Growing Threats

Italy has taken delivery of its first SAMP/T New Generation (NG) and GRIFO surface-to-air missile systems, marking an important step in the country’s air defense modernization. The handover took place on January 22, 2026, at the Santa Barbara barracks in Sabaudia, home to the Army Air Defence Artillery Command (COMACA). SAMP/T NG is based on the Aster 30 B1NT interceptor with an engagement envelope of over 150 kilometers, while GRIFO adds a SHORAD layer built around MBDA’s CAMM-ER missile for low-altitude and fast-reaction threats. This delivery may signal Italy’s growing confidence in its air defense capabilities, which could have implications for the country’s NATO membership.