The Italian Air Force is preparing to strengthen its air defense capabilities by acquiring the SAMP/T NG surface-to-air missile system. This acquisition will bring it alongside the ranks of the French Air Force and other branches of the Italian military, which are already equipped with SAMP/T, an air defense system developed jointly by MBDA and Thales, forming a Franco-Italian consortium.

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  Italian Army - 4th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment "Peschiera" SAMP/T missile reloading. (Picture source Italian army)

This announcement complements the order placed in January of this year by the Italian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force, as part of the Support and Enhancement (S&E) contract. Air Recognition reported this information on May 16, 2023. The European Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has modified the S&E contract to include the Italian Air Force as the latest user of Eurosam.

The SAMP/T NG missile system is an improved version of the original SAMP/T, which has been in service throughout Europe and the Middle East since 2010. This cooperative anti-aircraft missile system provides 360-degree protection. The Italian Air Force variant will be equipped with a new rotating 360-degree AESA multifunction radar, the Leonardo Kronos Grand Mobile High Power, and the Ground Fire 300 from Thales for France.

The SAMP/T, also known as Surface-to-Air Medium-Range Terrestrial, is the result of sophisticated collaboration between France and Italy. It is designed to counter a variety of airborne threats such as planes, helicopters, drones, and ballistic missiles. The system is equipped with the Aster 30 missile, providing an operational range of approximately 120 kilometers and altitude coverage of up to 20 kilometers. Its multifunction radar, ARABEL, can track up to 100 targets simultaneously and can launch up to eight missiles rapidly to address individual or grouped threats. With such advanced capabilities, the SAMP/T represents an essential addition to any air defense strategy.

Despite this recent acquisition by the Italian Air Force, Eurosam and its SAMP/T NG system are facing growing competition in the European market for air defense systems. In particular, the Iris-T SLM, an air defense system developed by Diehl Defence in 2022, is gaining popularity throughout Europe.

The Iris-T SLM offers 360-degree protection and high mobility, making it an attractive option for many European countries. Germany recently donated this system to Ukraine, and negotiations are underway with Estonia and Latvia for a joint acquisition of the system.

Iris-T SLM offers 360-degree protection and high mobility, making it an attractive option for many European countries.

While Eurosam remains a favored choice for some European countries, the Iris-T SLM is gaining recognition and demand in the European air defense system market. This competition is expected to continue influencing the acquisition decisions of European countries in the near future. However, the armed forces of France, Italy, and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, members of the Franco-Italian Eurosam consortium since 1996, are likely to remain loyal to this advanced technology.