- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine To Combat-Test Europe’s New SAMP/T NG Air Defense Against Ballistic Missiles
- Authors
![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine plans to test the next-generation SAMP/T NG air defense system against ballistic missile threats once the system is delivered later this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on March 15.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
According to UNITED24 Media corespondent, Zelenskyy said France will transfer the newest version of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG system to Ukraine, where it will be tested in real combat conditions against ballistic targets. The president described the system as the only European alternative to the US-made Patriot air defense platform.
“SAMP/T is the only alternative in Europe today,” Zelenskyy said. “We will see this year whether the new SAMP/T systems can shoot down ballistic missiles. This year we will receive the system and test it against ballistic threats. If it works, it will become long-term good support.”
-9c80cfb83c6d14d02f121949afcf630d.png)
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine has negotiated with French President Emmanuel Macron to secure priority access to the system if the tests confirm its ability to intercept ballistic missiles.
“If we succeed with the French and manage to shoot down ballistic missiles, then this will be the first such alternative,” Zelenskyy said. “We have agreed that Ukraine will be first in line. Because as soon as they start shooting down ballistic missiles, there will immediately be a queue.”
The SAMP/T NG (New Generation) system is currently nearing the final stage of development and is designed to significantly expand the capabilities of the original SAMP/T platform. The French Air and Space Force’s Air Warfare Center (CEAM-AWC) accepted the first operational SAMP/T NG system in late February 2026.
A key upgrade in the system is the integration of new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars. French versions will use the Ground Fire radar developed by Thales, while Italian systems will be equipped with the Kronos Grand Mobile HP radar built by Leonardo.
The Ground Fire radar provides full 360-degree coverage and can detect aerial threats at distances of up to 400 kilometers. The radar operates in the S-band and can simultaneously track multiple targets, including drones and ballistic missiles.
The Italian Kronos Grand Mobile HP radar, derived from Leonardo’s naval EMPAR radar technology, uses gallium nitride (GaN) transmit-receive modules to improve signal quality and detection range.
The radar rotates up to 60 times per minute, allowing updates on target movement every second. Its detection range reaches up to 250 kilometers in combat mode and 300 kilometers in search mode.
The system will also employ the upgraded Aster 30 Block 1 NT interceptor missile. The missile is designed to intercept short-range ballistic missiles with ranges of up to 1,500 kilometers, in addition to aircraft and other aerial threats.
Earlier, Italian defense company Leonardo said it plans to test components of its next-generation Michelangelo integrated air and missile defense system in Ukraine by the end of 2026, ahead of NATO trials scheduled to begin in 2027.
-9a7b3a98ed5c506e0b77a6663f5727c5.png)
