The three countries have placed an order for 218 Aster anti-aircraft missiles, with delivery being accelerated because of the security situation in Europe.

The joint order for Aster missiles comes against the backdrop of deteriorating security on the continent, and the purchase is part of a larger framework order. The missiles will equip French and Italian ground-to-air defense systems, capable of intercepting a wide range of air threats. The value of the contract has not been disclosed, but the price of an Aster 30 missile is estimated at more than €2 million.