Zelensky: Ukraine to Receive SAMP/T Air Defense System and Radars From France This Fall

Ukraine will receive one SAMP/T air defense system and new air defense radars from France this fall.

The statement comes from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to the Ukrinform news agency.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine is expected to receive one SAMP/T system this fall, with an additional system to be delivered depending on production rates.

At the same time, the main problem remains a shortage of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles for these systems.

Ukraine already has a contract for the production of additional Aster 30 missiles. The two sides plan to sign the relevant agreements in September, while Ukraine will be able to finance them through a European loan.

Zelensky also said that Ukraine expects to receive licenses from France this year to produce three types of weapons on Ukrainian territory.

Separately, the president said he had reached an agreement with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for Ukraine to receive 600 PAC-2 missiles for Patriot systems in 2027-2028.

As of now, Ukraine expects to receive a total of four SAMP/T air defense batteries from France, including the latest SAMP/T NG systems.

In July 2026, it became known that Ukraine had ordered four new SAMP/T NG air defense systems developed jointly by France and Italy. Due to the slow production rate of the new systems, France will temporarily provide Ukraine with two SAMP/T systems, which will be used until production of the ordered SAMP/T NG systems is completed.

After the new systems arrive, Ukraine is expected to return the temporarily provided SAMP/T systems to France.

The procurement of the SAMP/T NG systems is being financed through tranches of the Ukraine Support Loan (USL) for 2026 and 2027.

In addition, in July, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference following a meeting of the Coalition of the willing in Paris that France would provide Ukraine with licenses to produce Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles for SAMP/T systems.

According to Macron, localizing production in Ukraine should accelerate missile deliveries amid limited production capacity at European defense companies.