France SAMP/T NG air defense procurement

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) have ordered four additional sections of the SAMP/T NG next-generation medium and long-range ground-based air defense system. This procurement brings the total number of systems for the French Air and Space Force to twelve.

Developed by the EUROSAM consortium through Franco-Italian cooperation involving MBDA and Thales, the system is designed to counter complex threats including drones, combat aircraft, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic missiles. The units feature modernized fire control technology, such as the GF30 radar, and utilize Aster 30 B1 and Aster B1NT missiles. The B1NT variant specifically employs a Ka-band seeker and advanced algorithms to provide hit-to-kill capabilities against high-speed and maneuverable targets.

The mobile units are capable of becoming operational in under 30 minutes, providing 360-degree coverage with an engagement range exceeding 150 km and radar detection capabilities beyond 350 km. Ten of the twelve total systems are expected to be delivered by the end of 2030, with the first delivery anticipated in early 2026.