Two successful firings of the SAMP/T New Generation (SAMP/T NG) air defence missile have been performed in Italy and France.
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Eurosam Press Release, Paris, 16 December 2025: Two successful 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 two nations in the frame of the historical trilateral Air Defence FSAF-PAAMS cooperation managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) on behalf of France, Italy and the UK.
These firings were held at PISQ (Poligono Interforze del Salto di Quirra) test range, in Sardinia, on December the 3rd with a SAMP/T NG Italian variant and at DGA Essais de Missiles test range, at Biscarrosse, on December the 15th with a SAMP/T NG French variant.
Following previous successful firings of ASTER B1NT missiles in October 2024 and July 2025 which validated the long-range capability, these two new firings in full new generation system configuration (Engagement Module, sensor radar, launchers interconnected) demonstrate the enhanced operational capabilities of the SAMP/T NG long range air defence system which will allow to intercept challenging aerial and missiles targets in terms of range, manoeuvrability, furtivity or speed.
These firings are a great achievement for the bilateral SAMP/T NG programme managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation), on behalf of France and Italy. Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of Eurosam, MBDA and Thales teams, OCCAR, and experts from the two nations, particularly from French DGA and Italian DNA, these successes are important steps forward in the development of this new cutting-edge European Air Defence asset.
SAMP/T NG has already been ordered to equip the French and Italian Air and Space Forces as well as the Italian Army. The first systems will be delivered to the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (French Air and Space Force), the Esercito Italiano (Italian Army) early 2026 for operational evaluation. In September 2025, Denmark selected the French variant of SAMP/T NG to provide the country with a state-of-the-art solution for its long-range surface-based air and missile defence.
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