The Franco-Italian air defense system Samp/T is developed by the Italo-French consortium Eurosam (consisting of the companies Mbda Italy, Mbda France and Thales), one of the cornerstones of Ukraine’s air defense, becoming essential for intercepting missiles and drones launched by Moscow. The commercial success of the successor Samp-T Ng is considered a test for Europe’s commitment to strengthening its autonomy in the production and purchase of armaments, in a rearmament context linked to the Russian threat.
According to sources familiar with the dossiers cited by Bloomberg, Eurosam is currently engaged in talks with Kuwait and Hungary for possible system supplies. The same sources indicate that about fifteen countries are considering the Samp/T NG. Among these are Switzerland and Estonia, which have already publicly expressed their interest.
“Many countries, especially in Europe, are interested in our Samp/T Ng system and are requesting information from us,” Eurosam told Bloomberg. “It is the only sovereign European alternative to the American system, with ballistic missile defense capabilities and full integration with NATO.”
However, the challenge will not be easy: the previous version of the system did not match the performance of the Patriot and many countries have already adopted the American solution, the Financial Times argued last year.
Certainly, the timing is favorable: Brussels has long aimed to encourage “buy European” for military equipment and facilitate joint purchases among member states in order to strengthen the European defense sector.
All the details.
WHAT THE NEW GENERATION SAMP-T AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM IS
The development of the Samp/T Ng system, started in 2021 in collaboration between France and Italy, is an evolution of the Samp/T system, in service since 2010 and currently used by clients in Europe and the Middle East.
The Franco-Italian air defense system Samp/T, in service with the Italian Army and the French Air Force since 2013, is also deployed and operational in Ukraine. The Samp-T Ng system is based on an advanced missile that expands the Aster family: the Aster Block 1 Nt (new technology) by Mbda which includes a new seeker and a new computer; an updated launcher; a new rotating AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, multifunctional with 360-degree coverage: the Kronos Grand Mobile High Power by Leonardo for Italy and the Ground Fire 300 by Thales for France; a common command and control module, based on an open and updated command and control software architecture.
According to Eurosam, the Samp/T Ng has a detection range of over 350 kilometers and an interception range of over 150 kilometers and can engage multiple targets simultaneously. The system uses the Mbda Aster missile, a two-stage 450 kg interceptor with a length of 4.9 meters that can reach Mach 4.5 and is capable of high-G maneuvers.
THE DEMAND PUSH AND INCREASED PRODUCTION
The growing interest in the European system is also linked to the difficulty of quickly obtaining new Patriot batteries, considered for years the benchmark for long-range air and missile defense, Bloomberg reconstructs. The high international demand and the limited production capacity of the American industry have indeed lengthened delivery times.
In this context, Eurosam has accelerated the production of the Samp/T Ng. According to sources close to the program, the consortium is now able to deliver ordered units faster than the new Patriots produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Denmark represented one of the first concrete cases of this trend. Last year Copenhagen chose the European system, with deliveries scheduled for 2028, a more favorable timing compared to that guaranteed by the Patriot. A Danish defense official had indicated this element as one of the decisive factors in the decision.
The first deliveries of the Samp/T Ng to France and Italy began during 2026. At the same time, the production of Aster missiles destined for the system is expected to double this year to about 180 units and exceed 300 in 2027.
THE SWISS CASE AND PATRIOT DELAYS
One of the most watched dossiers concerns Switzerland. Bern had ordered five Patriot systems for a value close to 3 billion dollars, but in recent months it has started a reassessment of the program due to continuous delivery postponements.
The United States has in fact communicated that the first delivery, initially scheduled for 2026 after an order placed in 2022, will suffer further delays. The schedule would have slipped by another two years compared to previous revisions, moving operational availability beyond 2030 and also causing a cost increase.
In light of these difficulties, Switzerland has started negotiations for the purchase of the Samp/T Ng. Estonia also confirmed in January that it is evaluating the European system, which directly competes with the Patriot and the Israeli David’s Sling system.
TRANSATLANTIC TENSIONS
Finally, Eurosam has positioned the Samp/T Ng as a national alternative in a context of growing tension between Europe and Washington. The Patriot and its PAC-3 missile are widely used in Europe, with eight current operators, including Ukraine, which has effectively employed the interceptors against Russian cruise and ballistic missiles.
However, several governments are exploring alternative options, Bloomberg notes. Both supply difficulties and the growing perception among European countries of a reduced reliability of the United States as a strategic partner influence these evaluations.
Denmark, engaged in a diplomatic dispute with President Donald Trump over statements regarding Greenland, also signed in April the first official export contract for the Samp/T Ng.
“Undoubtedly we rely on the Patriot,” said the German defense chief, General Carsten Breuer, adding that finding a replacement will not be easy, Bloomberg reports. “But at the same time it is clear that we are looking for alternatives.”
