Design
The SAMP/T system is designed around 4–6 launchers holding eight vertically-launched Aster 30 missiles each, one multi-function radar, and one engagement module for battery command and control. A crew of 14 is required per four-launcher battery. All components are designed to be mounted on 8x8 trucks, making the system fully air-transportable by C-130 or similar aircraft.
SAMP/T is capable of tracking 100 aerial targets and engaging 10 simultaneously. The use of Aster 30 missiles provides SAMP/T with the ability to intercept tactical ballistic missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles. It can engage air-breathing targets and cruise missiles at ranges of up to 120 km (75 mi), and can intercept tactical ballistic missiles fired from more than 600 km away when provided long-range cueing data from an external system.
SAMP/T NG was designed with an extended engagement capability, providing 360° and full zenithal coverage. It can be purchased with the French Thales GF 300 radar or the Italian Kronos GMHP radar. SAMP/T NG can engage air-breathing targets at ranges beyond 150 km (93 mi) and at altitudes up to 25 km (82,000 ft), and it can track up to 1,000 targets. The system has a typical crew of 20 per battery, although once the system is encamped only three people are required to operate it.
Variants
SAMP/T
Original system developed by Eurosam and purchased by France and Italy.
SAMP/T NG
Next-generation system with greater range and radar coverage purchased by France and Italy. Available since 2025, first deliveries in 2026.
Ukraine will receive eight SAMP/T NG air defence systems ahead of France and Italy according to French President Emmanuel Macron. President Macron said “We agreed that this system [SAMP/T NG], after development, will be initially deployed in Ukraine and will operate in Ukraine.”
The Swiss government is going to decide (probably in June 2026) to acquire a new air defence system designed to engage missiles, cruise missiles and drones over long distances. The system is to be manufactured in Europe and is intended to replace or supplement the Patriot system. The Federal Council is considering cancelling the Patriot procurement because it is facing delays of up to seven years and will cost at least 1.5 times as much.
VL MICA integration
In April 2026 France's DGA contracted Eurosam, via OCCAR, to integrate the short-range VL MICA and VL MICA NG into SAMP/T NG as a second interceptor tier alongside the Aster 30, with ten multi-layer systems to be delivered from 2030.
Operational history
NATO deployment in Turkey (2026)
In June 2026, Italy deployed a SAMP/T air defence system to Turkey under NATO's Standing Defense Plan. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence stated on 16 June 2026 that the system would be stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya as part of efforts to strengthen NATO's air defence capabilities.
Russo-Ukrainian war
France and Italy each donated a SAMP/T system in 2023 to Ukraine to aid its defence during the Russo-Ukrainian War, with Italy announcing a third system would be donated in 2025. On 11 March 2025, it was claimed that a SAMP/T system had shot down a Russian Sukhoi aircraft.
According to the French Army, Ukrainian SAMP/T air defence systems have outperformed Patriot missiles in intercepting Iskander ballistic missiles, after Russia modified the Iskander's flight profiles.
During its deployment in Ukraine, reports indicated that the SAMP/T system faced initial operational challenges. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and other defense analysts, the system initially struggled with software-related issues that hindered its effectiveness in intercepting certain Russian ballistic missiles compared to the U.S.-supplied Patriot system.
