Soon Kyiv will field-test the latest version of the Franco-Italian Samp/T NG air defense system against Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukraine will receive in 2026 from France a new Samp/T NG (next generation) air defense system, as a possible alternative to the US Patriot systems. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself, who explained that the system will be used to verify its effectiveness against ballistic threats, in a context where Russia continues to increasingly use such missiles in its attacks.
The Franco-Italian Samp/T air defense system is developed by the Italo-French consortium Eurosam (formed by the companies Mbda Italy, Mbda France, and Thales). It represents one of the cornerstones of Ukraine’s air defense, becoming essential to intercept missiles and drones launched from Moscow.
In 2024, the Italian and French Defense Ministers Crosetto and Lecornu had also written a letter to their European counterparts praising the advantages of the system compared to the Patriot. The French and Italian armies will be the first customers, receiving the Samp/T NG starting from 2026. Ukraine has received at least two Samp/T systems as donations, with at least one in use to defend the Kyiv area.
Just last week Les Echos reported that Paris and Rome will implement the new version of the Samp/T system, which is beginning to attract interest in many countries.
All the details.
NEW AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM FROM FRANCE
Ukraine will receive this year from France a new Samp/T air defense system that will be tested against Russian ballistic missiles. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking with journalists.
“We will receive a system this year that we will test against ballistic threats,” Zelensky declared. The Ukrainian president explained that sending the system was the main topic of talks held Friday in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The latter had described the Samp/T – nicknamed Mamba in France – as “the best surface-to-air missile system in the world.” During his New Year’s speech to the French armed forces. Words echoing the statements of the Chief of Defense Staff, General Mandon, who, during a parliamentary hearing, praised the Mamba’s performance in Ukraine, stating that it had neutralized missiles that its American rival, the Patriot, “had difficulty intercepting,” the French daily recalls.
WHAT IS THE NEXT-GENERATION SAMP-T AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM
The development of the Samp/T NG system, launched in 2021 in collaboration between France and Italy, is an evolution of the Samp/T system, in service since 2010 and currently used by customers in Europe and the Middle East.
The Franco-Italian Samp-T air defense system, in service with the Italian Army and the French Air Force since 2013, is also deployed and operational in Ukraine. At the beginning of 2023 Italy worked together with France to provide this system to Ukraine, in addition to the Skyguard and Spike systems.
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 at 360 degrees: 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.
As highlighted by the Defense Ministry, the new configuration includes a deeply renewed engagement system and the integration of a next-generation radar, designed to fully exploit the capabilities of the future ASTER 30 B1 NT Extended Capability missile. The entry into service of the Samp/T NG is scheduled for 2026.
THE TEST OF THE SAMP/T NG SYSTEM
According to reports, France will send Ukraine the latest version of the Samp/T NG surface-to-air missile system for field testing against Russian ballistic missiles. “The Samp/T is currently the only alternative in Europe. We will see this year if the new Samp/T systems will be able to shoot down ballistic missiles. This year we will receive a system to test against ballistic threats. If it works, it will become a valid long-term support,” said Ukrainian President Zelensky.
PARIS AND ROME ACCELERATE ON THE EUROPEAN MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
According to Les Echos, at a time when everyone is speculating about the upcoming shortage of American Patriot surface-to-air missiles due to the regionalization of the conflict in Iran, France and Italy are trying to accelerate the implementation program of the next generation of their joint air defense system, the Samp/T NG.
A NEXT-GENERATION SAMP-T SYSTEM DELIVERED TO THE ARMY, BUT NOT YET OPERATIONAL
A new Samp-T NG battery was officially delivered to the Italian Army on January 22, but it is not yet operational. “Developed within a program launched in 2021, the SAMP/T NG delivered to the Italian Army has superior performance, thanks to the interception capability of the new Aster B1NT missile, beyond 150 km, and the Leonardo Kronos grand mobile high power radar which guarantees threat detection at over 350 km distance, thus increasing the protection of the Forces from modern aerial and missile threats, including ballistic targets,” explains the armed forces website.
