France Orders Four More SAMP/T NG Air Defense Systems Built to Intercept Hypersonic Threats

France's Direction générale de l'armement ordered four additional Eurosam SAMP/T NG ground-based air and missile defence systems on October 21, 2026, bringing its planned fleet to 12 units. Developed by the MBDA-Thales Eurosam venture with French and Italian participation, the new-generation system combines advanced radar, command-and-control equipment and Aster interceptors for engagements against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic threats. The programme is also intended to address more manoeuvrable, high-speed targets, including certain hypersonic threats, although performance against specific scenarios remains subject to qualification. France received its first SAMP/T NG system earlier in 2026, with further deliveries to follow.