Finance
Italy likely to send military aid to gulf states, sources say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 4, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 4, 2026
Italy is weighing a request from Gulf states for military aid amid Iranian air strikes. The most likely support is a SAMP/T air‑defence battery, though Italy must balance this against its commitments to Ukraine and its own air defence needs.
By Angelo Amante
ROME, March 4 (Reuters) - Italy's government is likely to provide military aid, including an air defence system, to Gulf nations that have requested help with equipment in the face of Iranian air strikes, two sources said on Wednesday.
The sources, who asked not to be named, said that while a final decision had not yet been made, Italy would probably send one of its SAMP/T batteries that can intercept ballistic missiles. They would not say which country would receive the system, or which battery Rome was considering redeploying.
Attacks by Israeli and U.S. forces against Iran have prompted Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes on ports, cities and oil facilities throughout the Gulf, a vital energy-producing region. Italy is not particularly reliant on energy supplies from the Gulf, but its energy minister said on Wednesday the country could reactivate some coal-fired power plants if the conflict leads to an energy crisis.
ROME EVALUATING REQUESTS
On Monday, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome had received requests for air defence and anti-drone systems from the Gulf, including the SAMP/T, a Franco-Italian battery.
A third source said Italy could also provide anti-drone systems, which could be transferred quickly, although a technical assessment was still under way.
Italy is already supplying the SAMP/T to Ukraine to help its war effort against the Russian invasion, and the third source ruled out taking away from Kyiv's air defences to support the Gulf states.
When asked about the possible supply of defence tools in response to the latest Middle East conflict, Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano told an event in Rome that the government was "evaluating requests".
As the conflict widens to the Mediterranean, Britain, France and Greece said on Tuesday that they would send air defence forces to Cyprus after drones struck the Royal Air Force Akrotiri base on the island.
Italy also hosts U.S. military bases on its territory.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said late on Tuesday that Rome had not yet received any requests to use them for operations against Iran, and would evaluate any requests if they were to arrive.
(Reporting by Angelo Amante, additional reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, editing by Alvise Armellini and Andrei Khalip)
Italy may provide an air defence system, specifically a SAMP/T battery, and anti-drone systems to Gulf nations.
Gulf states have requested military equipment from Italy due to Iranian air strikes and regional security threats.
Italy will not take air defence resources from Ukraine to supply the Gulf, according to government sources.
Italy could reactivate some coal-fired power plants if the conflict leads to a crisis in energy supplies from the Gulf.
Italy has not received requests to use its U.S. bases against Iran and will evaluate any requests if they arise.
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