Italy deploys SAMP/T air-defence system to Lithuania

Italy deployed a SAMP/T air-defence system to Lithuania for a joint exercise with the LAF on 10–20 February. (Lithuanian Army)

Italy deployed a SAMP/T air-defence system to Lithuania for a joint exercise involving the two countries' air-defence battalions on 10–20 February 2025. The Italian and Lithuanian ministries of defence (MoDs) placed the deployment in the context of the implementation of NATO's Rotational Air Defence Model in the Baltic states.

Lithuanian Vice-Minister for National Defence Tomas Godliauskas said on 17 February, “NATO's Rotational Air Defence Model, approved at the [2023] Vilnius NATO summit, is becoming a reality. By implementing it, we are strengthening the air defence and deterrence of the entire alliance. We must continue to maintain a 360º approach to security.”

In addition to the Italian Army SAMP/T system, participating in the exercise were the Lithuanian Air Force's (LAF's) Air Defence Battalion with National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) medium-range air-defence systems, Italian Air Force Eurofighter and French Air Force Rafale fighter jets of NATO's Baltic air policing mission, and the Lithuanian air operations centre.

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) said on its website on 17 February that the main role of the Italian SAMP/T was to protect deployed troops and vital facilities in the area of operations. The ministry noted that the system can counter aircraft and various missiles, including cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. The MND noted that the main components of the air-defence system are the Aster 30 missile and the Arabel multifunction radar, with SAMP/T designed to operate under extreme jamming and electronic countermeasures conditions.