France orders the multi-layered version of the SAMP/T NG air and missile defence system
The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), acting on behalf of France, awarded eurosam a contract on April 30, 2026, for the development of the ASTER / VL MICA multi-layered version of the SAMPT/NG system. This contract prepared with the French DGA will involve, in addition to eurosam, its parent companies MBDA and Thales
This development aims to give to the SAMP/T NG French variant a short-range surface-to-air capability with the MICA VL missile, complementing its medium to long-range air and ballistic missile defence capability with the ASTER missiles.
With this development, the medium ASTER B1 and long-range ASTER B1NT effectors, both with ballistic missile defence capabilities, and the short-range MICA VL and MICA NG VL effectors (in their IR and EM versions) will be integrated into a multi-layered system. This new operational capability will require an upgrade to the Next Generation Engagement Module (ME-NG) of the SAMP/T NG. The ME-NG will thus ensure coordinated fire with optimized use of launchers loaded
with these effectors in an operational context where the number and diversity of aerial threats are increasingly significant.
Under the frame of this new contract, the SAMP/T NG sections planned in the current French 2024-2030 Military Programming Law will be delivered to the French Air and Space Force in this multilayer ASTER / VL MICA configuration.
This new SAMP/T NG version is designed to be scalable, with the aim to broaden its multi-layered capability by integrating also very short-range missile effectors (e.g MISTRAL 3) and anti-drone systems. It will contribute to building a broader and fully integrated air and missile defence reinforcing the ability of SAMP/T NG to counter all types of threats in the decades to come.
Press contact: eurosam communication
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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.
ASTER B1NT MISSILE
Being a pillar of sovereign air defence, ASTER is the only European missile family capable of defeating the
most high-end threats, from highly manoeuvrable targets up to hypersonic threats. The ASTER B1NT missile provides an extended air defence domain and an improved interception capability to face the evolution of new complex threats.
Building on a unique aerodynamic and pyrotechnic architecture, it benefits from a disruptive guidance technology based on a Ka seeker and new interception algorithms, as well as the latest generation of electronics equipment to feature an unmatched hit-to-kill capability. These brand-new technologies deliver a significant performance enhancement as the ASTER B1NT missile will cover the full spectrum of threats, including short to medium range tactical ballistic missiles (SRBM and MRBM), low manoeuvring and hypersonic missiles.
