The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, acting on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency, awarded the contract to Eurosam on 30 April 2026. The contract also involves Eurosam’s parent companies, MBDA and Thales.
The development will give SAMP/T NG a short-range surface-to-air capability using the MICA VL missile. This will complement the long-range and ballistic missile defence capability provided by the ASTER missile.
The project is based on integrating the VL MICA system’s engagement chain into the SAMP/T NG command centre. The aim is to improve the system’s ability to respond to an operational environment in which air threats are increasing in number and diversity.
France plans to deliver eight SAMP/T NG batteries to the French Air and Space Force in the multi-layer ASTER/MICA VL configuration from 2030. These batteries are part of the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law.
The systems will support a broader and fully integrated air defence architecture. That architecture is considered essential for the Air and Space Force to maintain its ability to counter all types of threats in the coming decades.
Surface-to-Air Defence is intended to secure national airspace through a multi-layered approach. This applies both within French territory and during out-of-area operations.
The architecture relies on networked sensors, command-and-control information systems and effectors. These include GF300 and GM200 radars, ASTER Block 1, ASTER B1NT, MICA VL and MISTRAL 3.
The French Defence Procurement Agency is responsible for overall management of this “system of systems”. The approach is intended to coordinate different layers of air defence into one integrated structure.
Short-range air defence is currently provided by VL MICA sections operated by the French Air and Space Force. These were deployed for the first time during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
VL MICA can already operate in a multi-layered mode through the higher-level CMD3D system. CMD3D coordinates several weapon systems, each with its own command centre.
These command centres include NC1 for MISTRAL 3, the Tactical Operational Centre for VL MICA and the SAMP/T Engagement Module for ASTER. The new project will further integrate these capabilities through the SAMP/T NG architecture.
The project led by the French Defence Procurement Agency aims to integrate medium- and long-range ASTER B1 and ASTER B1NT missiles with short-range VL MICA and VL MICA NG missiles. The VL MICA and VL MICA NG missiles will include both infrared and electromagnetic versions.
This multi-layered system is intended for specific air security operations in France and for deployments in out-of-area theatres. The new operational role requires physical and software upgrades to the SAMP/T NG fire control engagement module and the GF300 radar.
The eight batteries upgraded to the multi-layer standard will benefit from full integration of ASTER and VL MICA missiles. The upgraded ME-NG engagement module will coordinate fire to counter the full spectrum of threats with the most appropriate missile.
The system is designed to be scalable. Its longer-term objective is to become a multi-layered architecture that also integrates very short-range MISTRAL 3 and anti-drone systems.
The continuous integration of these capabilities is intended to allow the French Air and Space Force to fulfil its expanded air defence mission in all circumstances. The system is designed to respond to both proliferating and increasingly complex threats.
