Italy to deploy SAMP/T air defence systems in Lithuania
Italy will implement NATO's rotational air defence model in Lithuania by deploying SAMP/T air defence systems.
Here's What We Know
During the NATO exercise in Siauliai, SAMP/T was tested with Italian and French fighters patrolling the Baltic airspace. The NATO air defence command system was also integrated with Lithuanian NASAMS systems.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Šakalienė stressed that Europe's security depends on the defence of its northeastern flank and thanked Italy for its contribution to NATO's rotational air defence model.
In October 2023, it became known that at least three NATO countries would deploy their air defence systems in Lithuania in 2025. They are likely to include the Netherlands and Sweden, which participated in the Siauliai exercise.
An Aster 30 missile is launched from a SAMP/T combat vehicle. Illustration: MBDA
SAMP/T is a long-range air defence missile system developed by the Eurosam consortium (MBDA Italy, MBDA France, Thales). It is capable of destroying aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 150 km and at an altitude of up to 25 km, as well as fighting ballistic missiles at a distance of 25 km.
In February, it was announced that the Eurosam consortium will supply updated SAMP/T NG systems to France and Italy. The new systems are equipped with advanced Kronos Grand Mobile High Power (Italy) and Ground Fire 300 (France) radars, which allow for more efficient target tracking and fire control.
