France Tests New Anti-Air Shield with Aster 30 B1NT to Strengthen Future SAMP/T-NG Defense System.

On October 8, 2024, France conducted a pivotal air defense test within the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) base in Biscarrosse. This strategic trial, part of Operation Mercure, marks the first launch of the Aster 30 B1NT missile against aerial targets simulating a complex threat scenario. The event was attended by French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and the General Delegate for Armaments, Emmanuel Chiva, underscoring the importance of this new generation missile for both French and Italian defense.
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The Aster 30 B1NT, a new-generation missile, is designed to upgrade the French-Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system and will also be used in naval defense within the PAAMS framework (Picture source: French MoD)

The Aster 30 B1NT, referred to as “new Technology,” is specifically designed to enhance the SAMP/T (Surface-to-Air Medium Range Land-based) NG ( New Generation) air defense system, a French-Italian collaboration. Additionally, it will be deployed in naval defense within the PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System) used by both nations. With this version, France aims to modernize its air defense capabilities to respond effectively not only to conventional aerial threats but also to more sophisticated ballistic missiles. During this test, targets were used to simulate a complex threat environment, demonstrating the system’s ability to react in high-stakes operational scenarios.

The SAMP/T-NG marks an upgrade from the current SAMP/T, bringing enhanced interception capabilities for high-speed threats at ranges up to 150 kilometers and altitudes over 25 kilometers. Equipped with advanced radar and sensor systems, the SAMP/T-NG enables rapid detection and interception of threats, particularly hypersonic missiles, which pose specific challenges due to their high speed and maneuverability. This system is a critical component in European defense against modern missile threats.

On September 23, 2024, France’s Air and Space Force announced an expedited timeline for the SAMP/T-NG’s deployment, now scheduled to begin in 2026. Developed in partnership with Italy, this advanced system reflects a joint commitment to counter evolving global security threats, including ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

As part of the Eurosam consortium, defense companies MBDA and Thales played key roles in the project, supported by a €400 million contract awarded by the DGA in 2015 to develop the Aster 30 B1NT under the coordination of the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). Alongside this new missile, the contract also included an upgrade to the SAMP/T system to improve its capabilities against ballistic missiles, aligning with NATO’s ballistic missile defense program.

The SAMP/T-NG marks an upgrade from the current SAMP/T, bringing enhanced interception capabilities for high-speed threats at ranges up to 150 kilometers and altitudes over 25 kilometers (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)

The Aster missile family comprises two versions: the Aster 15, with a range of up to 30 kilometers for short and medium distances, and the Aster 30, capable of reaching targets over 100 kilometers away for short and long-range engagements. These missiles are now integral to France's air defense. Earlier this year, the French Navy demonstrated the Aster’s efficacy by intercepting Houthi drones and ballistic missiles in the Red Sea. In March, the air-defense frigate Alsace successfully intercepted three Houthi ballistic missiles mid-flight, marking a first for the Aster 30 system. The Alsace thus took over the role from the Languedoc in Operation Aspides, protecting maritime traffic.

The Aster 30 Block 1NT missile is equipped with a radar seeker operating in the Ka band, allowing it to focus energy into a narrower beam than its predecessor, the Block 1, which uses the Ku band. This enhancement grants the missile increased long-range detection capabilities and the ability to intercept much faster targets, particularly longer-range ballistic missiles. Additionally, the Ka band seeker provides superior angular precision, enabling more accurate tracking of target movements and significantly increasing the probability of target destruction through direct impact.

This Aster 30 B1NT test in Biscarrosse represents a milestone in European defense, solidifying France and Italy’s military cooperation under the Eurosam project. The joint program not only aims to shield military forces from increasingly sophisticated threats but also seeks to fortify European territory with a solution compatible with NATO’s integrated air and missile defense systems. Enabling European forces to respond to complex, multi-layered attacks, this new generation of missiles is set to become a cornerstone of European anti-air capabilities.