The Italian Army has officially taken delivery of its first SAMP/T NG (New Generation) air defense system, marking a major milestone in Italy’s efforts to establish a modern, layered air and missile defense architecture capable of countering advanced aerial and missile threats.
The system was handed over to the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command in Sabaudia, Lazio, where it will operate alongside the Grifo short-range air defense system. The delivery follows the earlier arrival of Rheinmetall’s Skynex air defense system in December, which provides close-range protection and completes the lower tier of Italy’s evolving multi-layer defense structure.
Developed by EUROSAM, a joint venture between MBDA Italy, MBDA France, and Thales, the SAMP/T NG represents a significant upgrade over the existing SAMP/T platform. Designed to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, and emerging hypersonic threats, the system integrates the Aster B1NT interceptor missile, offering engagement ranges of more than 150 kilometers, and Leonardo’s Kronos Grand Mobile radar, capable of detecting threats at distances exceeding 350 kilometers.
The SAMP/T NG program was launched in 2021 as a Franco-Italian initiative, with 10 systems planned for delivery to the Italian Army and Air Force and an additional eight systems destined for the French Air Force. Together with the Grifo CAMM-ER-based short-range system, both platforms are designed to be fully interoperable, highly mobile, and seamlessly integrated into national and NATO air and missile defense networks, providing Italy with a robust 360-degree defensive shield.
