On 18 July 2023, OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sucker alongside Eurosam Managing Director Eva Bruxmeier formalized the Amendment of the FSAF-PAAMS Sustainment & Enhancement (S&E) agreement for the acquisition of advanced ground-based air defense systems SAMP/T NG for the Italian Air Force.
This acquisition complements the SAMP/T NG production requested in January 2023 for the Italian Army and the French Air and Space Force.
The Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR) has bestowed this amendment to the S&E agreement, through delegation from Segretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti (SEGREDIFESA) and Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), to the Italo-French consortium Eurosam; supported by its three stakeholders MBDA France, MBDA Italia, and Thales LAS France.
The contract was executed in the presence of SEGREDIFESA, DGA, and representatives from the Italian Air Force, marking the integration of this additional service as a new FSAF-PAAMS domestic user, joining the ranks of the Italian Army and Navy, the French Navy, Air and Space Force, and the British Royal Navy.
With this agreement, the Italian Air Force will be enhanced with SAMP/T NG ground-to-air defense features, equipped with the Kronos Grand Mobile High Power radar from Leonardo.
The development of the SAMP/T NG system commenced in 2021, a collaborative effort between France and Italy, serving as an advancement of the SAMP/T system operational since 2010 and currently active in Europe and the Middle East.
The SAMP/T NG system includes:
— A sophisticated missile to expand the ASTER family: the ASTER Block 1 NT (new technology) from MBDA featuring a new seeker and an upgraded computer.
— An improved launcher.
— A novel 360-degree multifunction rotating Active Electronically Scanned Array radar: the Kronos Grand Mobile High Power from Leonardo for Italy and the Ground Fire 300 from Thales for France.
— A unified command and control module based on modernized open command and control software architecture and enhanced connectivity.
The SAMP/T NG is engineered to fulfill all Ground-Based Air Defense missions with superior key capabilities. This long-range surface-to-air missile defense system is designed to:
— Provide an aerial surveillance range exceeding 350 km and an interception range exceeding 150 km.
— Operate effectively in a densely populated civilian airspace, collaborating with friendly military aircraft while being fully integrated into air defense networks.
— Deliver 360-degree protection for armed forces and vulnerable civil or military installations.
— Possess a dual capability to engage multiple target types simultaneously, irrespective of their nature.
— Counter emerging and future dangers including hypersonic missiles, maneuvering ballistic missiles, re-entry vehicle ballistic missiles, high-velocity cruise missiles, UAVs, and agile aircraft, even in saturation attack scenarios and complex cyber environments.
— Deploy swiftly with a minimal personnel requirement and easily integrate within an air-defense network.
With these advanced features, SAMP/T NG will empower France, Italy, and additional clients to ensure their airspace sovereignty, safeguard their territory and populace, and protect their forces during operations.
