France will send Ukraine a replacement radar for its SAMP/T anti‑aircraft missile system while one unit is under repair, reinforcing Kyiv’s air defense amid ongoing threats.
French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin said the radar is being provided as part of efforts to keep Ukraine’s SAMP/T systems operational, according to a report by Ukrinform.
Radar availability is tied to the manufacturer’s production capacity, she noted, so France is working with MBDA to repair the existing unit while supplying a temporary substitute.
Between 2024 and 2025, MBDA reportedly doubled its missile production to support the SAMP/T and other systems.
French President Emmanuel Macron previously indicated that additional SAMP/T air defense systems could be deployed to Ukraine as early as 2026, highlighting Paris’ long‑term support for Kyiv’s defensive needs.
The SAMP/T’s Footprint
The SAMP/T is a long‑range air defense system developed by the European Eurosam consortium led by MBDA and Thales.
It integrates multi‑function radars and Aster family missiles, particularly the Aster 30, to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles at extended distances and altitudes. The system is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple targets and engaging them with high precision.
France and Italy are the primary operators of the SAMP/T, with both nations ordering next‑generation variants that enhance range and target engagement capabilities.
Deliveries to the French Air and Space Force and the Italian Army are expected to begin in early 2026, with operational evaluations planned.
In 2025, Italy deployed its SAMP/T systems in Lithuania as part of NATO’s rotational air defense model to reinforce regional deterrence and interoperability with allied forces.
Rome has also confirmed plans to station SAMP/T units in Estonia under a rotational defense framework. Ukraine received its first SAMP/T system delivered by Italy, which began deployment in 2023 with Ukrainian personnel trained to operate the system.
In 2025, Denmark selected the SAMP/T NG variant as part of a major air defense procurement, making it one of the few countries beyond France and Italy to commit to the system for its national air defense architecture.
