France and Italy Promote SAMP/T Against European Air Defense Initiatives.

In an effort to position their SAMP/T air defense system as a preferable alternative to American options, French and Italian Defense Ministers have recently intensified their promotional efforts among their European counterparts, as reported by La Tribune. This campaign comes as American systems, especially the Patriot, continue to dominate the European air defense landscape. The ministers have sent letters praising the enhanced capabilities of the SAMP/T system, sparking interest from countries such as Belgium, Denmark, and potentially Brazil. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

 Designed to enhance interception capabilities, particularly against hypersonic threats, the SAMP/T NG is equipped with the ASTER 30 Block 1NT interceptor missile featuring new Ka-band guidance, capable of intercepting targets up to 1000 km away (Picture source: French MoD)

Germany launched the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) in October 2022, aimed at pooling the acquisition of air defense capabilities among member countries, thus favoring systems like the IRIS-T SLM and Arrow 3. However, the Franco-Italian SAMP/T system was not selected, causing frustration among French authorities who view European air defense as a matter of strategic and collective sovereignty that national or third-party industrial interests should not compromise.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his dissatisfaction in November 2022, emphasizing that air defense should not be limited to promoting specific industries at the expense of European autonomy. Furthermore, Emmanuel Chiva, the General Delegate for Armaments, criticized the German initiative, stating that the systems currently favored by ESSI do not meet operational requirements as they lack the necessary interconnectivity for integrated defense.

In April, during a meeting with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto at the Solenzara Air Base in Corsica, French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, called for a deep reflection on the integration of the next-generation SAMP/T into the European air defense strategy, noting that this system would represent a significant technological advancement, especially in the capability to intercept hypersonic missiles.

The SAMP/T NG (New Generation Medium-Range Air-to-Ground System), developed by Eurosam—a collaboration between MBDA and Thales—is an advanced version of the SAMP/T air defense system. Designed to enhance interception capabilities, particularly against hypersonic threats, the SAMP/T NG is equipped with the ASTER 30 Block 1NT interceptor missile featuring new Ka-band guidance, capable of intercepting targets up to 1000 km away. Although details on production and acquisition remain vague, as well as the date of operational service entry, it is clear that the system is still under development and testing.

The system relies on two main radars depending on the user country: the Ground Fire 300 for France and the Kronos GM HP for Italy, illustrating its adaptability to the specific requirements of each nation's armed forces. The SAMP/T NG is not yet deployed in active service, so the number of units in service is not available. This initiative marks a significant advancement in defense technology, offering substantial capability to defend against a wide range of modern aerial threats, thereby enhancing Europe's security posture against new military challenges.

This strengthening of Franco-Italian cooperation around the SAMP/T NG could ultimately redefine the contours of air defense across the European continent, providing a viable alternative to systems traditionally dominated by the United States, while enhancing Europe's strategic autonomy in a crucial area for its collective security.