The SAMP/T New Generation long-range air and missile defence system has completed two successful live firing trials in France and Italy.
Eurosam said the firings took place on 3 December at the PISQ test range in Sardinia using the Italian variant of the system, and on 15 December at the DGA Essais de Missiles range in Biscarrosse with the French configuration. Both tests involved the full SAMP/T NG system architecture, including the engagement module, sensor radar and launchers operating as an integrated system.
The trials followed earlier ASTER B1NT missile firings in October 2024 and July 2025, which confirmed the system’s extended-range capability. The latest tests were intended to demonstrate the system’s ability to intercept complex aerial and missile threats, including targets presenting challenges in range, speed, manoeuvrability and low observability.
SAMP/T NG is being developed under the long-standing FSAF-PAAMS air defence cooperation framework, managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation on behalf of France, Italy and the United Kingdom. The programme forms a central part of European efforts to strengthen long-range surface-based air and missile defence.
The system has already been ordered by France and Italy to equip the French Air and Space Force, the Italian Army and the Italian Air Force. Initial deliveries are scheduled for early 2026, when the first systems will enter operational evaluation.
Interest in SAMP/T NG has also widened beyond the original partner nations. In September 2025, Denmark selected the French variant of the system as the basis for its future long-range surface-based air and missile defence capability.
Would it be worth the UK getting involved in this?
Sorry didnt read the article properly (had a few off to the Cardiff v Chelsea game) the UK is part of it apparently, unless i misred again.
I think we are only involved from an aster missile perspective as they are used in the t45, rather than any interest in investing in it for ground based defence purposes.
Would be worth a UK purchase.
Deploy them to Cyprus, Lossiemouth and the northern radar sites as a minimum.
First I hear of this UK participation. The article mentions UK participation, but I don’t know what that entails. Confusing statement because SAMP/T and Aster are designed/made by joint venture Eurosam (MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales France) which the UK is not part of, furthermore UK does not even operate any SAMP/T systems. On top of that, the UK seems to be moving away from Aster since it has developped a competing product to Aster 15 called CAMM and is using Mk41 VLS for its future frigates, Type 26 and Type 31, instead of Sylver VLS.
CAMM is not really an alternative to ASTER, more an alternative to MICA/IRIS-T missile.
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ASTER 15 is a much more potent/deadly missile than CAMM.
Nah, the UK is still invested in the Aster. They’re trending towards integrating it into the Mk41, alongside the less capable CAMM to fill other roles.
The current Sylver VLS is quite limited, but the A70-NG is realistically where the UK should have gone. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ready in time.
Given that it appears to work I presume there is no danger of our buying it anytime soon.?
The Aster according to MBDA has had a Mk41 test fit. But I believe it was completely model based, rather than a physical test fit. Nobody so far has stumped up the cash for a full integration. If the RN wants to stay with Aster rather going down the US path, then it will have to pay for the integration costs, especially when it comes to the T83. The T26 and T31 should be slightly easier, as I reckon they will only have variants of CAMM. Due to the ease of quad or dual packaging CAMM.