France to Enhance SAMP/T NG Air Defense Systems with VL MICA Short-Range Missiles

France has signed a contract with Eurosam to modernize its SAMP/T NG air defense systems by integrating VL MICA short-range interceptor missiles.

This will enable the system to counter a full spectrum of air threats, according to the French Ministry of Defense.

France has already ordered eight SAMP/T NG systems equipped with Aster 30 B1NT missiles, capable of engaging tactical ballistic missiles at ranges exceeding 150 km.

The system is equipped with Thales’ Ground Fire 300 radar—a rotating radar with an active phased array of circularly disposed antennas that provides 360° coverage and detects targets at ranges of up to 350 km.

In a multi-layer configuration, the SAMP/T NG becomes a fully scalable system capable of repelling massive, complex, multi-vector attacks involving manned and unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles, anti-radar missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles.

The modernization involves upgrading the system’s combat module and the Ground Fire 300 radar to integrate up to six Aster launchers and up to six VL MICA launchers.

VL MICA missiles provide a range of up to 30 km, while their new version, the VL MICA NG, has a range of up to 40 km.

The combat module will coordinate the use of both missile families, automatically assigning the most appropriate interceptor for each target.

Deliveries of the multi-layer configuration are scheduled to start in 2030.

“As the number and variety of air threats continue to grow, the SAMP/T NG will provide even more effective ground-based air defense through the optimized use of weapons,” the French Ministry of Defense stated.

Like the German IRIS-T SLM, the VL MICA is based on an existing air-to-air missile.

It is available in versions with infrared guidance or an active radar homing head, depending on requirements.