Minister of Defense of Italy: The production speed of our defense industry does not reach that of Iran and Russia

According to RCO News Agency, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosto also criticized Italian defense manufacturers and expressed his disappointment at their speed in fulfilling Ukrainian orders.

According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the defense minister said: “I am discussing with Italian companies because I have to deliver the Samp-T to Ukraine, but the Italian company responsible for preparing it was closed for the holidays in August. They don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays.”

The SAMP/T system, also known as “Mamba”, is a joint production of Italy and France, which can fire at dozens of targets at the same time and intercept 10 rockets at a time.

Entered into service with the Italian Army in 2013, the system is a truck-mounted tactical anti-missile system designed to defend against cruise and tactical ballistic missiles as well as manned aircraft and drones.

In another part of his statement, he compared his country’s defense industries with those of Iran, China and Russia and said: “While Russian, Chinese and Iranian companies work seven days a week, 365 days a year and 24 hours a day, “Companies don’t work in the evening.”

“However, it is impossible to speed up the production process,” Crosto lamented.

The Italian defense minister’s acknowledgment of the impossibility of accelerating the country’s arms production process to support Ukraine, while the conditions of the battle field, especially on the eastern front of Ukraine, are extremely detrimental to this country.

In its report today, the British Ministry of Defense admitted to the increasing advance of the Russian army’s ground forces during the past week towards the important and strategic city of Pokrovsk, located in eastern Ukraine, and wrote: “During the past seven days, Russian forces have approached up to 10 kilometers from the outskirts of the city; A development that is an important point in the battle for control of the Donetsk region.

Pokrovsk is a key logistical hub for Ukrainian forces in the region, and its potential fall could have profound implications for the country’s war against Russia.

On the other hand, “Frontintelligence Insight”, a Ukrainian analytical group, reported: “Pokrovsk is one of the 2 main railway and road connections in the Donetsk region, and its loss threatens the logistics of the entire region for the Ukrainian army.”

The British Ministry of Defense continued in its report: “The advance of Russian forces poses a serious threat to Ukraine’s ability to maintain vital supply lines to several key bases, including Chasivyar and Volehdar. If Russian forces capture Pokrovsk, the lengthening and disruption of Ukrainian supply lines will complicate and slow down the supply and reinforcement of Ukrainian positions across the Eastern Front.”

In the broader context of these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again called for increased military aid from Western allies and has emphasized the urgent need for advanced weapon systems and ammunition to counter Russia’s intensified advance.

According to reports, Ukrainian forces are strengthening their positions in Pokrovsk and preparing for a prolonged and intense defense of the city.

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