---
title: "Italy has exhausted Aster missile stocks, prepares aid package for Ukraine without anti-aircraft munitions"
description: "Italy has exhausted its stock of Aster missiles for Ukraine: Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that munitions must remain in national reserves. Rome's new aid package shifts focus toward generators and energy infrastructure repairs."
date: 2026-11-11T19:24:33.182Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/italy-exhausted-aster-missile-stocks-ukraine
tags: [italy, ukraine, aster-missiles, samp-t, military-aid, air-defense, guido-crosetto, energy-infrastructure]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Italy has exhausted Aster missile stocks, prepares aid package for Ukraine without anti-aircraft munitions

![Military SAMP/T launcher on a truck against a clear blue sky](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/11/italiya-iskherpala-zapasy-raket-aster-dlya-ukrainy/italiya-iskherpala-zapasy-raket-aster-dlya-ukrainy-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Italy has effectively exhausted stocks of Aster anti-aircraft missiles for transfer to Ukraine
- Defense Minister Guido Crosetto cited the need to keep munitions in national strategic reserves
- The 13th aid package (first in 2026) shifts focus to generators and energy grid repair parts
- Rome's decision mirrors Berlin's move to halt Patriot missile shipments
- Kyiv is preparing requests for enhanced protection against high-speed 'Shahed' type drones

Rome appears to be reaching the limit of its capabilities to supply Aster anti-aircraft interceptor missiles to Ukraine. According to Italian and international media, the stockpiles of ammunition used by the Italian-French SAMP/T complex previously transferred to Kyiv have effectively been exhausted. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, commenting on the issue of further supplies, stated: "We must keep the Aster missiles for ourselves." This statement, made against the backdrop of preparations for the 13th military aid package — the first of 2026 — effectively signals that Rome may soon suspend the transfer of these munitions, following the path of Berlin, which previously halted missile supplies for Patriot systems.

### Shifting focus: From anti-aircraft missiles to generators

Despite the reduction in the air defense component of new Italian packages, the general line of support for Ukraine, according to Rome, is not changing; its focus is merely transforming. As Russia continues targeted strikes on the Ukrainian energy system ahead of the winter period, the Italian government has decided to focus on civil resilience. A significant part of the new tranche will consist of diesel generators to support critical facilities and components necessary for repairing damaged power plants and transmission lines. The next classified shipment, according to available information, may also include elements for maintaining the functionality of already transferred SAMP/T systems — but without the interceptor missiles themselves.

### The reason: Deficit and strategic reserves

Rome's official motivation comes down to the need to defend national security and maintain strategic reserves. The defense industry, according to Italian government representatives, is unable to increase the production of Aster missiles in the short term to a level that allows for simultaneously supplying its own armed forces and continuing large-scale shipments abroad. The logic is similar to that previously voiced by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius: according to him, Berlin had already transferred several Patriot systems and munitions to Kyiv, and further shipments would create critical gaps in Germany's own air defense. Thus, both major European suppliers are reaching a similar conclusion — their own reserves are running low.

### Context: The 13th package and the COPASIR meeting

The situation with the 13th military aid package from Italy, the first in 2026, remained uncertain for a long time. Previously, Western media reported that the new tranche might contain Aster interceptor missiles for SAMP/T systems. Minister Guido Crosetto was scheduled to present the package to the parliamentary intelligence and security committee, COPASIR, on November 10. The outcomes of this meeting and the final composition of the aid will be a key indicator of how far Rome will go in revising the structure of its support.

### New challenges: High-speed drones and Kyiv's requests

A separate factor exerting pressure on the air defense systems of Ukraine's allies is the evolution of Russian strike assets. Kyiv is preparing requests to partners to strengthen protection against new developments, particularly high-speed automated drones like the Shahed, which have become significantly harder to counter due to their low radar cross-section and high speed. This intensifies the competition for the limited pool of anti-aircraft munitions among various systems and missions — from intercepting ballistic targets to combating massive swarm drone attacks.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Италия исчерпала запасы зенитных ракет Aster для Украины, - СМИ](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/italiya-vicherpala-zapasi-zenitnih-raket-1794424184.html) - Original source of the article. Contains G. Crosetto's quote, information on the 13th package, the COPASIR date (Nov 10, 2026), and the shift in focus to generators. Note: Data based on media reports; final content not published at the time of writing.
- [CNN: Украина исчерпала запасы ракет-перехватчиков для системы Patriot](https://1prime.ru/20261015/cnn-874296714.html) - Contextual source: Confirms general trend of anti-aircraft ammunition depletion (Patriot) per CNN data from Oct 15, 2026. Does not contradict main text, supplements the deficit narrative.

## FAQ

### Why is Italy stopping the supply of Aster missiles to Ukraine?

According to Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, stocks of Aster missiles are effectively depleted, and Rome must conserve ammunition for its own strategic reserves. The defense industry cannot ramp up production quickly enough.

### What will Ukraine receive in the 13th aid package instead of Aster missiles?

A significant portion of the new package will consist of generators for critical infrastructure and components for repairing damaged power plants and transmission lines. Components for maintaining already transferred SAMP/T systems may also be included.

### Is Italy's decision linked to Germany's actions?

The logic is similar: Germany previously halted Patriot missile shipments citing the need to protect its own air defense. Italy is following a similar line regarding Aster, though it remains a sovereign decision by Rome.

### When was the 13th aid package scheduled to be presented?

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto was scheduled to present the package to the parliamentary committee COPASIR on November 10, 2026.