France will provide Ukraine with its latest SAMP/T NG air defense system, a modernized version of the Franco-Italian complex designed to intercept advanced air threats, including ballistic missiles.
This information was disclosed by the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in conversations with journalists, RBC-Ukraine reported.
According to the Ukrainian leader, this European system is currently the only regional alternative to the American Patriot system, which is widely used for anti-missile defense. Zelensky stated that Ukraine would be the first to receive the new model, which is still completing its final stages of development.
According to the president, this system will be used in real combat conditions, thus allowing testing of its effectiveness against ballistic attacks.
“SAMP/T is the only alternative in Europe at the moment. This year we will see whether the new SAMP/T system is capable of dropping ballistic missiles. This year we will receive one system that we will test against ballistic missiles. If successful, this will be a big help in the long term,” Zelensky said, quoted by RBC-Ukraine.
A new generation of European air defense systems
SAMP/T OF (Next Generation) is a significant evolution of the air defense system jointly developed by France and Italy.
The new version features improvements to sensors, radar and command software, expanding the capabilities to detect and intercept high-speed aircraft and missiles.
This system also uses a modern version of the missile Asterwhich is considered one of Europe’s most advanced interceptors for medium-range air defense.
Although still in the final stages of development, the program has advanced to the operational introduction stage. At the end of February 2026, the French Armed Forces Air Warfare Center (CEAM-AWC) adopted the first SAMP/T NG system, marking an important step towards its integration within European military forces.
Battlefield trials could determine the future of the system
If the SAMP/T NG’s performance against ballistic targets is proven in real combat, the system could become a key pillar of European air defense while significantly strengthening Ukraine’s capabilities against missile attacks.
Experts assess that the use of this system in Ukraine could also serve as an operational test in war conditions, which would provide valuable data for the development of the next version of the system.
Sources and pictures: RBC-Ukraine | MBDA. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
