SAMP/T air and missile defense systems are currently deployed and operating in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced this on Monday, Rai News reports.

This is the first official confirmation of this Franco-Italian air defense system arriving in Ukraine.

Macron’s statement was made during his speech at the Paris Air Show.

“I am pleased to be able to announce with my Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, that the Franco-Italian SAMP/T SAM is now deployed and operating in Ukraine, where it is protecting key objects and people’s lives,” the French President shared.

Italy and France jointly transferred this air/missile defense system to Ukraine within the framework of international military assistance.

A group of Ukrainian servicemen passed the training program to master this anti-aircraft missile system.

On February 3, 2023, it was reported that France and Italy finally agreed on the procedure of transferring SAMP/T to Ukraine.

And on February 5, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that future crews of the SAMP/T air defense system are already heading for training in Europe.

SAMP/T air defense system

SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system was developed by the European consortium Eurosam (MBDA Italy, MBDA France, Thales). The system can destroy aerodynamic targets at a distance of more than 100 km at an altitude of up to 25 km. The system is also able to fight ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 35 km and at an altitude of up to 25 km.

The SAM is built on the basis of the Aster 30 solid-fuel anti-aircraft missile. The missile’s flight speed is 4,5М (1400 m\s). The weight of the warhead is 20 kg, and the starting weight is 450 kg.

The SAMP/T is in service with Italy, France, and Singapore.