Paris and Rome, 15 December 2025. Two successful firings of the SAMP/T New Generation (SAMP/T NG) were performed in France and Italy. They demonstrated once more the high level of performance of this long-range capability developed by eurosam, for the armed forces of the two nations in the frame of the historical trilateral Air Defence FSAF-PAAMS cooperation managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) on behalf of France, Italy and the UK.

These firings were held at PISQ (Poligono Interforze del Salto di Quirra) test range, in Sardinia, on December the 3rd with a SAMP/T NG Italian variant and at DGA Essais de Missiles test range, at Biscarrosse, on December the 15^th with a SAMP/T NG French variant.

Following previous successful firings of ASTER B1NT missiles in October 2024 and July 2025 which validated the long-range capability, these two new firings in full new generation system configuration (Engagement Module, sensor radar, launchers interconnected) demonstrate the enhanced operational capabilities of the SAMP/T NG long range air defence system which will allow to intercept challenging aerial and missiles targets in terms of range, manoeuvrability, furtivity or speed.

These firings are a great achievement for the bilateral SAMP/T NG programme managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation), on behalf of France and Italy. Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of eurosam, MBDA and Thales teams, OCCAR, and experts from the two Nations, particularly from French DGA and Italian DNA, these successes are important steps forward in the development of this new cutting-edge European Air Defence asset.

SAMP/T NG has already been ordered to equip the French and Italian air and space forces as well as the Italian army. The first systems will be delivered to the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (French Air and Space Force), the Esercito Italiano (Italian Army) early 2026 for operational evaluation. In September 2025, Denmark selected the French variant of SAMP/T NG to provide the country with a state-of-the-art solution for its long-range surface-based air and missile defence.

Press contact: eurosam communication
Mobile: 06.74.00.03.13
Mail: communication@eurosam.com

Note to editors:

eurosam
The eurosam GIE (Economic Interest Grouping) is a Franco-Italian joint-venture created between MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales. For more than 35 years, it has been the industrial prime contractor and design authority for Aster missile-based air defence systems.
The result of cooperation between France and Italy, extended to the United Kingdom, the systems developed by eurosam both in their land (SAMP/T) and naval (SAAM and PAAMS) applications have proven their effectiveness in combat.
Today, eurosam is positioned as the only European system manufacturer capable of offering sovereign medium and long-range air defence solutions. To meet current defence challenges, eurosam continues to innovate to offer its customers defence systems able to defeat current and future threats. This ability to anticipate and to innovate is based on the recognised expertise of its teams and that of its shareholders in terms of research and development and programme management.

SAMP/T NG
SAMP/T NG is the new version of the SAMP/T system today in service in France and in Italy. SAMP/T NG is a strategic system that offers an advance anti-access / area-denial capability. SAMP/T NG is the only European long-range air defence solution guaranteeing air sovereignty as well as protection of the armed forces and sensitive civil or military sites against all current and future threats (cruise missile, ballistic missiles, anti-radar missiles, UAV, helicopter and aircraft).
Designed to operate in a civilian air environment, the system is capable of operating with friendly military aircraft. It is fully integrated into the national air defence network and fully interoperable with NATO / coalition systems. SAMP/T NG extended engagement capability provides 360-degree protection capable of simultaneously engaging any combination of air and missile threats further than 150 km.

SAMP/T NG Section has four main components:

• Up to 48 Aster missiles ready to fire
• 1 multi-function radar module able to detect and identify targets further than 350 km
• 1 engagement module
• Up to 6 launchers modules capable of carrying 8 missiles each

The whole system is mobile and can be operational in less than 30 minutes.

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