French-Italian SAMP/T air defense missile system arrives in Ukraine to boost air defense capabilities.

In an article released by the Italian newspaper, "La Stampa" on May 15, 2023, it was confirmed that Ukraine has received its first French/Italian SAMP/T air defense missile system. This development is a significant step in bolstering the Ukrainian military's air defense capabilities, which has been a matter of high priority due to sustained aerial aggression from Russian forces.
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The French/Italian SAMP/T will boost the air defense capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces. (Picture source Wikimedia)

Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has faced multiple attacks from Russian ballistic missiles and drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones. The assault reached a peak on May 15, 2023, when Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, experienced an intense aerial strike. This was characterized by a Ukrainian military official as an "exceptional" barrage involving an unprecedented number of missiles fired from various directions within a brief period.

The United States and its NATO allies have been steadfast in their support of Ukraine, providing various air defense missile systems such as the Patriot MIM-104, IRIS-T SLM, Crotale NG, and Hawk among others. The UK has recently added to this support with the delivery of Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The newly arrived SAMP/T will further enhance the air defense capabilities of the Ukrainian military.

Earlier this year, on February 3, 2023, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani made an announcement stating that the SAMP/T system, a joint development by Italy and France, would be delivered to Ukraine in the upcoming two months.

In a subsequent report by the Army Recognition editorial team in March 2023, they revealed that Ukrainian soldiers had begun training on the SAMP/T air defense missile system in Italy. The training took place at Santa Barbara di Sabaudi, the location of the Italian army's anti-air command, beginning in early March.

The SAMP/T, also known as the Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre or Surface-to-Air Medium Range Land Based, is a sophisticated air defense missile system created through a collaborative effort between France and Italy. It's intended to counter a broad spectrum of threats, from aircraft and helicopters to drones and ballistic missiles.

At the core of the system is the Aster 30 missile which is designed with advanced technology to hit incoming threats with precision, including an active radar seeker for the final phase of the flight.

The operational range of the Aster 30 missile is around 120 kilometers, while the altitude coverage extends up to 20 kilometers. This makes the SAMP/T a formidable asset for medium- to long-range air defense.

Another critical feature is the ARABEL multi-function radar, which can track up to 100 targets simultaneously. The SAMP/T is capable of launching up to eight missiles in quick succession against individual or grouped threats.

The SAMP/T system's combination of range, altitude coverage, and rapid-fire capabilities make it a robust addition to any air defense strategy.