After France and Italy (the countries behind the project), the land-air defense system will equip the Danish armed forces starting in 2028.
An example of the armament efforts undertaken across the Old Continent, Denmark has chosen the Franco-Italian anti-aircraft defense system SAMP/T NG, also known as Mamba, to equip its armed forces. The information, known since the end of 2025, was confirmed with more details by Thales and MBDA, who produce the system within the Eurosam joint venture.
This agreement represents the first contract for export in Europe for the SAMP-T NG (for New Generation Medium Range Land-to-Air Defense, editor’s note), rivaling the famous American Patriot system.
In addition to Italy and France, the countries that designed the “Mamba”, the system had been ordered and delivered in its previous version (SAMP/T) to Singapore, in two batteries, in 2017 and 2018. A unit had also been delivered to Ukraine, after the Russian invasion of 2022.
The SAMP/T NG is designed to destroy ballistic missiles and maneuvering hypersonic missiles. “Faced with an Iskander that maneuvers at full capacity, the SAMP/T system is not able to intercept it, however, the SAMP/T NG will be able to,” recently explained an industry source involved in the program, regarding the Russian ballistic missile capable of rebounding maneuvers during its descent.
Production of Aster missiles increasing
The SAMP/T NG is a key component of SkyDefender, the anti-aircraft and antimissile defense system launched by Thales. Capable of detecting ballistic missiles up to 5,000 km away and providing early warning alert, SkyDefender combines ground radars, infrared sensors on geostationary orbit satellites, and threat neutralization means (missiles, rockets, and other ammunition).
Within this multi-layered system, the SAMP-T NG provides medium-range protection, with the Ground Fire radar capable of detecting targets up to 150 km and ensuring 360-degree coverage over the operational area. This radar, in series production since early 2025, has “recently demonstrated its exceptional performance during a qualification test of the French version of the SAMP/T NG system,” praised Thales.
“Denmark will benefit from the increased production of the SAMP/T-NG system and the production of ASTER missiles, with delivery starting in 2028,” Thales also assured in a statement released on Tuesday, April 21.
“The SAMP/T NG is the best mobile land-air system to guarantee the protection of Danish airspace and effectively contribute to the defense of European countries and NATO,” emphasized Thales Deputy Director Hervé Damann, thanking Danish authorities for their trust.
