Paris and Rome,
December 2025. Two 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 2 Nations in the frame of the
historical trilateral Air Defence FSAF-PAAMS cooperation managed by OCCAR on
behalf of France, Italy and the UK.
These firings were held at PISQ (Poligono sperimentale
e di addestramento Interforze di Salto di Quirra) test range, in Sardinia, with
a SAMP/T NG in Italian variant and at DGA Essais de Missiles test range, at
Biscarrosse, with a SAMP/T NG in French variant.
After the successful firings with ASTER
B1NT missiles in October 2024 and July 2025 which validated the long-range
capability, these two new firings in full interconnected system configuration (Engagement
Module, Radar sensor, Launchers interconnected) demonstrate the enhanced
operational capabilities of the SAMP/T NG air defence system which will allow
the forces to intercept more challenging aerial and missiles targets in terms
of range, manoeuvrability, furtivity or speed.
These milestones are a great achievement
for the bilateral SAMP/T NG and ASTER B1NT programmes managed by OCCAR
(Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation), on behalf of France and Italy
to deliver a long-range surface-based air and missile capability to their
forces. Thanks to the strong collaboration of all involved stakeholders: eurosam, MBDA and Thales teams, OCCAR, and
experts from the two Nations – in particular from French DGA and Italian DNA –
these are important steps forward for building this new cutting-edge European Air
Defence asset ordered by OCCAR to equip French air and space force (Armée de l’Air
et de l’Espace), the Italian Army (Esercito Italiano) and the Italian Air Force
(Aeronautica Militare).