SAMP/T, known as MAMBA in French service, is a Franco-Italian truck-mounted air and missile defense system built around Aster interceptors, multifunction radar, engagement command modules, and road-mobile vertical launchers. Ukraine uses SAMP/T batteries for scarce long-range air defense against Russian aircraft, missiles, and drones, while the SAMP/T NG path adds newer radar, Aster 30 Block 1NT, and a multi-layer configuration integrating VL MICA.
Ukraine fields French-Italian SAMP/T MAMBA batteries for scarce long-range air defense against Russian aircraft, missiles, and drones; a Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson said SAMP/T systems had shot down Russian aircraft, while Ukrainian use against ballistic missiles had not been publicly confirmed in that May 2026 statement. Italy also announced delivery of an additional battery for Ukraine by late September 2024.
Role detailsThe public record uses several closely related names for the same Franco-Italian ground-based air-defense family. SAMP/T is the base family name, MAMBA is the French service name, and SAMP/T NG is the new-generation upgrade path.
| Name | Configuration | Documented distinction |
|---|---|---|
| SAMP/T MAMBA | Baseline ground system | French service naming for the road-mobile Aster 30 battery with radar, engagement module, and launcher vehicles. |
| SAMP/T NG | New-generation long-range battery | Franco-Italian upgrade path with Aster 30 Block 1NT, new radar options, and early-2026 operational-evaluation systems. |
| SAMP/T NG multi-layered version | Layered Aster and VL MICA configuration | French 2026 order that adds VL MICA launchers and command-post integration below the Aster long-range layer. |
SAMP/T is organized around vertically launched Aster-family interceptors, while France's multi-layer SAMP/T NG order adds a VL MICA layer for shorter-range threats.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Aster-family interceptor | Eurosam and MBDA identify Aster 30 as the SAMP/T and SAMP/T NG interceptor family, with SAMP/T NG adding Aster 30 Block 1NT for the upgraded battery. Sources: Ground Systems: SAMP/T NG, SAMP/T NG |
 | VL MICA point-defense missile | Eurosam's June 2026 multi-layer SAMP/T NG order integrates VL MICA launchers so the battery can cover close and medium-range air threats below the Aster layer. |
SAMP/T is best read as a battery architecture rather than a single launcher: sources separate the interceptor, radar, engagement module, launcher vehicles, and newer NG multi-layer elements.
| Element | Documented role | Reader note |
|---|---|---|
| Aster interceptors | Long-range surface-to-air missile layer. | SAMP/T uses Aster 30 family missiles; SAMP/T NG adds Aster 30 Block 1NT. |
| Multifunction radar | Detection, tracking, and engagement support for the battery. | SAMP/T NG is marketed with new radar options such as Thales Ground Fire 300 or Leonardo Kronos Grand Mobile High Power. |
| Launchers and engagement module | Road-mobile command and vertical-launch firing elements. | Eurosam describes mobile launchers tied to a battery command-and-control architecture. |
| VL MICA layer | Close and medium-range missile layer in the new French multi-layer order. | The 2026 order adds VL MICA launchers to extend coverage below the Aster long-range layer. |
CSIS Missile Threat traces SAMP/T development to the early 1990s Franco-Italian program that grew into the ground-based Aster air-defense system.
Sources: SAMP/T | Missile Threat
CSIS lists SAMP/T as entering service in 2011, after the Aster-family ground system moved from development into operational use.
Sources: SAMP/T | Missile Threat
France and Italy finalized discussions to provide SAMP/T MAMBA to Ukraine for air defense during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Sources: France, Italy finalize discussions on delivery of SAMP/T-MAMBA missile system to Ukraine
Italian officials said a promised SAMP/T battery would be delivered to Ukraine by the end of September 2024.
Sources: Italy to deliver promised SAMP/T air defense system by end of September
MBDA reported successful SAMP/T NG firing trials and said the first systems were scheduled for operational evaluation by the French and Italian armed forces in early 2026.
Sources: Successful firings with SAMP/T NG systems
Eurosam announced a French order for a multi-layered SAMP/T NG configuration that integrates Aster effectors with VL MICA launchers.
Sources: France orders multi-layered SAMP/T NG
