Finance
Italy says Gulf countries have requested air defence systems
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament on March 2, 2026, that Gulf states affected by the widening Iran–Israel–US conflict have requested air‑defence and anti‑drone systems—specifically the SAMP/T (“MAMBA”)—but Italy’s limited reserves, already stretched by support to Ukraine, make
Italy Confirms Gulf States Request Air Defence and Anti-Drone Systems
Italy Responds to Gulf States Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
By Angelo Amante
Requests for Air Defence and Anti-Drone Systems
ROME, March 2 (Reuters) - Italy has received requests for air defence and anti-drone systems from Gulf countries caught up in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States, Rome's defence minister told lawmakers on Monday.
Regional Tensions and Military Actions
The war against Iran is expanding as Israel has attacked Lebanon in response to strikes by militant group Hezbollah, Tehran has fired missiles and drones at Gulf states, and an Iranian-made drone has hit a British air base in Cyprus.
Concerns and Urgency from Gulf Countries
"The Gulf countries are expressing strong concern about the evolution of the crisis and have indicated the urgent need to strengthen their defence capabilities, particularly air defence and anti-drone," Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said.
Italy’s Defence Capabilities and Limitations
The minister said requests included the SAMP/T, a Franco-Italian battery also known as MAMBA that can track dozens of targets and intercept 10 at once. It is the only European-made system that can intercept ballistic missiles.
Italy is already supplying SAMP/T systems to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia, so further availability for Gulf states is difficult.
Strained Resources and European Commitments
"It is a very delicate issue, considering that these capabilities are already heavily strained and limited in light of European needs and the support provided so far to Ukraine," Crosetto said in a parliamentary hearing.
Diplomatic Engagements and Security Concerns
Crosetto - who returned on Sunday from Dubai, where he had been stranded with his family following the attack on Iran - spoke to lawmakers along with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who said the conflict was a direct threat to Italy's security.
(Reporting by Angelo Amante, writing by Alvise Armellini, editing by Gianluca Semeraro)
Key Takeaways
- •Gulf countries rocked by regional conflict have urgently sought European air‑defence systems from Italy, citing rising missile and drone threats.
- •Requests focus on the Franco‑Italian SAMP/T (MAMBA) system—Europe’s only interceptor capable of ballistic missile defense.
- •Italy’s supplies are constrained: existing systems support Ukraine and reserves are low, with increased missile production unlikely to relieve strain until 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions about Italy says Gulf countries have requested air defence systems
1Why have Gulf countries requested air defence systems from Italy?
Gulf countries are concerned about escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US, prompting urgent requests for air and anti-drone defence systems.
2What specific air defence system did the Gulf countries request?
The requests include the SAMP/T, also known as MAMBA, a Franco-Italian air defence battery capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
3Is Italy able to supply more SAMP/T systems to the Gulf?
Italy's supply capacity is limited due to commitments to Ukraine and high demand within Europe, making further availability difficult.
4How does the conflict impact Italy's security?
Italy's foreign minister stated that the expanding conflict is a direct threat to Italy's own security interests.
5What is the significance of Iran and Israel's involvement in the region?
Their involvement has escalated regional military activity, including missile and drone attacks, raising demand for advanced defence systems.
