OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sucker and Eurosam CEO Eva Bruxmeier signed on July 18 in Paris amendment 13 to the FSAF-PAAMS Sustainment & Enhancement (S&E) contract for approximately €700 million for the procurement of the new generation of SAMP/T NG medium-range ground-based anti-aircraft defense systems for the Italian Air Force. This acquisition is in addition to the SAMP/T NG production ordered in January 2023 for the Italian Army and the French Air and Space Force.
OCCAR-EA (an international organization whose main activity is the management throughout the operational life cicle of European cooperative defense equipment programs) has awarded this modification of the S&E contract, by delegation of the Segretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti (SEGREDIFESA) and the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), to the Eurosam consortium, formed by Thales, MBDA-France and MBDA-Italy shareholders.
The contract was signed in the presence of SEGREDIFESA, DGA and Italian Air Force representatives as it sees the latter Armed Force joining the FSAF-PAAMS programme alongside the Italian Army and Navy, the French Navy and Air & Space Force, and the British Royal Navy.
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SAMP/T Next Generation
The SAMP/T NG system development, launched in 2021 in cooperation with France and Italy, is an enhancement of the SAMP/T system in service since 2010.
The system comprises multifunctional radars (GF-300 by Thales for France and Kronos GM HP by Leonardo for Italy) with increased capability of detection and tracking of modern targets, including ballistic and hypersonic threats, and a new Engagement Module, which allows for enhanced robustness against saturating threats, high velocity cruise missiles, as well as increasing defended zone against ballistic missiles. This new systems will use both ASTER 30 Block-1 and ASTER 30 Block-1 NT (New Technology) air defence missiles from MBDA.
The Italian Air Force is joining the programme at a pivotal time, as it has now reached the completion of the definition phase for the new generation of ASTER missiles and SAMP/T NG systems. Through this procurement, Nations further reaffirm their confidence in the principles of international cooperation, contributing towards the enhancement of a cohesive European defence.
