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Aster 30 SAMP-T MAMBA

SAMP/T is a long-range anti-aircraft missile system developed by the European Eurosam consortium (MBDA Italy, MBDA France, Thales). The system can destroy aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 150 km at an altitude of up to 25 km. The system is able to hit ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 25 km and a similar altitude. The SAM is built on the basis of the French Aster-30 solid-fuel anti-aircraft missile. The missile’s speed is 4,5? (1400 m\s). The weight of the warhead is 20 kg, and the starting weight is 450 kg. The SAMP/T is in service with Italy, France, and Singapore.

In October 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky publicly appealed to France and Italy to arm the Ukrainian Air Force of the Armed Forces with SAMP/T systems. In November 2022, it was reported that these European countries started negotiations on a possible transfer of these systems to Ukraine. France and Italy agreed on the supply of the MAMBA Air Defense System to Ukraine. These systems will protect the civilian population and infrastructure from attacks by Russia.

On Feb 4, 2023. France and Italy will supply SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine. Back in October 2022, Ukraine asked the West for medium- and long-range air defense systems, but only at the end of January the Italian press wrote that after a call from Washington, France and Italy sat down to settle the technical details of the supply of SAMP-T complexes, which will be assembled from Italian and French components.

And these negotiations have been completed, the French Ministry of Defense reported on 04 February 2023. The MAMBA air defense system (SAMP/T) will be delivered to Ukraine in the spring of 2023.

This was announced by the Minister of Defense of France, Sebastien Lecornu. ‘With the Minister of Defense of Italy, Guido Crozetto, we decided to deliver the MAMBA air defense system (SAMP/T) to Ukraine in the spring of 2023. These systems will allow protecting the civilian population and infrastructure from attacks by Russia, as stated by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Oleksiy Reznikov,’ Lekornyu wrote on Twitter.

According to the French Ministry of Defense, it is “the first European long-range anti-missile system of Franco-Italian design. It will allow Ukraine to defend itself against attacks by drones, missiles and Russian aircraft, protecting a significant part of Ukraine’s territory.’

On February 3, 2023, it was reported that France and Italy have finalized the decision to send the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine. It is stated that the transfer of the air defense system will take place in the spring of 2023. Previously, Ukraine signed an agreement with the company THALES, which is to supply two GM200 radars for SAMP/T SAMs. France and Italy agreed on a joint order for 700 Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles for SAMP/T SAM.

The future crews of the SAMP/T air defense system of the Ukrainian Air Force were already on their way to undergo training in Europe. The Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported this on 5 February 2023. Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force, stated that he “immediately made a decision to send the necessary number of units of anti-aircraft missile forces for training” after France and Italy’s intention to transfer this air defense system was reported.

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni expressed hope that in the coming days the supply of the SAMP-T air defense system to Kyiv, which Rome and Paris are working on, will be officially announced. She stated this on 10 February 2023 during a press conference following the results of the EU summit in Brussels. "I think in the next few days we will be able to finally announce that we are ready to deliver SAMP-T," she said. Commenting on her possible visit to Kyiv, Meloni said that work is currently underway to understand how to organize the trip. She also said that during the conversation with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, she discussed the needs of the country.