SAMP/T NG: Thales contributes to the success of the European air defence system’s firing campaign

• On Monday, December 15, 2025, the first test firing of the French version of the SAMP/T NG system was successfully performed from the DGA Essais de Missiles test range in Biscarosse (Nouvelle-Aquitaine region).
• Each system features a Thales Ground Fire radar, the leading radar in the field of surveillance and air defence with an unmatched performance: range of up to 400 km and panoramic coverage at 360° and 90° elevation.
• The Ground Fire radar, which has been in series production since the beginning of 2025, demonstrated its exceptional performance during this firing of the French version of the SAMP/T NG system.

This firing campaign has once again demonstrated the high level of performance of this long-range air defence system developed by eurosam, a joint venture between Thales and MBDA. After a successful first firing in Italy on December 3, 2025, this new firing in France demonstrated the innovations and performance of the SAMP/T NG fire control system with its new modernised Engagement Module when coupled with the Thales Ground Fire radar.

Based on fully digital active electronically scanned antennas (AESA) technology, the Ground Fire radar provides a very high level of performance for the detection, tracking and classification of all types of targets in the most difficult environments (sea, mountains, intense traffic density, jamming...). This multifunction radar features a refresh rate of only 1 second and a surveillance capacity of up to 400 km, with panoramic coverage at 360° and 90° elevation. It is capable of simultaneously detecting drones, fighter jets and ballistic missiles, while benefiting from the mobility of a tactical radar.

This success is a further step towards the operational deployment of the SAMP/T NG system in France and Italy, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2026.

The SAMP/T NG system has thus established itself as the only European alternative for medium- and long-range protection against all types of threat, including ballistic, manoeuvring and saturating threats.

The SAMP/T NG programme is supervised by the Organisation Conjoint de Coopération en matière d'Armement (OCCAR). Eurosam, a joint venture between Thales and MBDA, is prime contractor for the entire system.

"The success of this firing campaign of the French variant of the SAMP/T NG at Biscarosse confirms the remarkable capabilities of this system, which contributes to the industrial and defence sovereignty of European nations. It is a further step towards the commissioning of the system in the forces in 2026." said Raphael DESI, Vice President, Integrated Airspace Protection Systems, Thales.

¹ Active Electronically Scanned Array

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a world leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace and Cybersecurity & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps to meet several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

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