In a recent statement, Yuriy Ignat, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force Command communications department, attested that the Italian-French SAMP/T air defense system effectively destroyed a Russian Sukhoi military aircraft.
He would not reveal the type, the date, or the location of the engagement. Ignat provided this information during a discussion event called “Defensive Talks: Sky Without KAB” but gave no additional details.
Ukraine’s Application of SAMP/T in the Current War
The disclosure, which was initially carried by Ukrainian media Censor.NET and Suspilne, sheds light on the increasing role played by Western-supplied air defense systems in Ukraine’s continued battle against Russian aerial attacks.
“The SAMP/T destroyed a Sukhoi. But there were other objectives as well.” There’s an airplane confirmed,” said Ignat, emphasizing the success of the system in action.
Ukraine initially took delivery of the SAMP/T in August 2023, a significant addition to its air defense in the face of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks. The system was delivered in a joint initiative between France and Italy, both NATO allies that are determined to build up Kyiv’s defense against Moscow’s military incursions.
Strategic Deployment of the SAMP/T System
Talks over the requirement for the latest air defense systems for Ukraine accelerated at the end of 2022 when Russian attacks on civilian targets and major city hubs intensified.
Italy and France had agreed on equipping Ukraine with the SAMP/T early in 2023, with the initial shipment entering Ukraine by August. This marked a significant milestone in the continent’s armed forces’ assistance to Kyiv.
The number of SAMP/T systems in Ukraine is not publicly known, with Western countries keeping quiet to prevent the situation from becoming more tense with Russia.
As of now, this is the only officially announced SAMP/T delivery, although Ukraine has imported other air defense systems from the United States, Germany, and Norway.
Capabilities of the SAMP/T Air Defense System
The SAMP/T, known as the Mamba, is a modern ground-based air defence system. It can destroy aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and even short-range ballistic missiles. Eurosam, a joint venture between MBDA and Thales, co-designed the system. It showcases Franco-Italian skill and technological strength in advanced air defence.
The system includes several parts, most importantly the Arabel radar. This powerful X-band 3D radar can track 100 targets and engage 16 at the same time. The radar links to a command-and-control unit. This unit ensures smooth coordination and effective manoeuvres between the radar, launchers, and missiles.
The SAMP/T launcher is mobile and mounted on an 8×8 truck. France uses Renault trucks, while Italy relies on Astra vehicles for deployment. Each launcher carries eight vertical launch tubes. Every tube holds a single interceptor missile, the highly capable Aster 30.
The Aster 30 missile reaches speeds up to Mach 4.1. It can hit aircraft over 60 miles away and ballistic missiles within 20 miles. The missile has two stages: a booster and a kill vehicle. The booster accelerates first, then separates, leaving the kill vehicle to strike targets with great precision.
Agility is its key strength. Using aerodynamic fins and lateral thrusters, the Aster 30 can manoeuvre quickly against high-speed, evasive targets.
Comparison with U.S. Patriot System
Western defense analysts have also compared the SAMP/T with the American Patriot air defense system. The SAMP/T’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles has been highlighted by the London-based Royal United Services Institute as a major distinguishing feature, placing it among the handful of European systems to boast such a sophisticated capability.
Sidharth Kaushal, a senior fellow at the institute, said the SAMP/T may not have the wide combat history of the Patriot system, but its presence in Ukraine gives it a vital real-world test.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies recognized the SAMP/T’s value for boosting Ukraine’s air defenses but warned that its limited number—France and Italy jointly operate fewer than 20 units—may limit its overall effect.
The Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance has commended the SAMP/T for its mobility and smooth integration into NATO’s overall air defense system, thus constituting a versatile option for defending vital assets.
Limited Operational History and Global Deployments
In spite of its advanced technology, the SAMP/T has a comparatively short operational experience compared to older air defense systems. Fabian Hoffmann, a missile technology researcher at the University of Oslo, underlined that combat experience is still the best indicator of a system’s reliability.
Today, the SAMP/T is in operational use with a few select countries. France uses about 10 units in its Air and Space Force, Italy uses six with its army’s anti-aircraft artillery, and Singapore is the sole non-European operator, which bought the system in 2013 to support its air defense capabilities.
NATO operations have also utilized the system. In 2016, Italy deployed a SAMP/T battery along the Turkish border with Syria as part of a NATO operation to combat missile threats, showing its applicability in allied-wide security activities.
SAMP/T’s Role in the European Sky Shield Initiative
Outside of its application in Ukraine, the SAMP/T is also under consideration as a central element of the European Sky Shield Initiative, a German-sponsored program to create a continent-wide air defense system.
The 21-nation-supported initiative plans to combine several systems—such as the Patriot, Germany’s IRIS-T, and Israel’s Arrow-3—into a multi-layered defense system. France and Italy have favored SAMP/T’s inclusion, with their defense ministers claiming that it covers the “full spectrum of threats.” This project is indicative of Europe’s growing ambition for strategic autonomy in defense but raises concerns regarding funding, interoperability, and long-term sustainability.
SAMP/T’s Combat Record and Future Implications
Ignat’s March 2025 comment confirmed the first report of a SAMP/T system shooting down a Russian Sukhoi aircraft. Ukrainian officials had suggested since 2023 that SAMP/T systems were targeting Russian drones and cruise missiles before Ignat’s confirmation.
After deployment, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Ignat hinted the system was already defending critical sites, later confirmed by President Macron. Western outlets, including Politico, reported the SAMP/T, alongside Patriot and NASAMS, played a vital role in defending Kyiv.
The system also proved itself abroad. In 2024, the French navy used it to down Houthi ballistic missiles. That Red Sea interception marked its first combat mission outside Europe, highlighting the system’s growing reputation and proven battlefield utility.
Conclusion
The shooting down of a Russian Sukhoi plane by the SAMP/T highlights its increasing significance on the contemporary battlefield. As Ukraine continues to bolster its air defenses with Western assistance, the SAMP/T’s performance will be questioned.
Although its numbers are still small, its successful use lends credibility to European defense technology and emphasizes its contribution to defining the changing dynamics of air warfare in Ukraine and elsewhere.
References
- Censor.NET – https://censor.net/
- Suspiline—https://suspiline.media/
- Bulgarian Military – https://bulgarianmilitary.com/
- Royal United Services Institute – https://rusi.org/
- International Institute for Strategic Studies – https://www.iiss.org/
- Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance – https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/
- Politico – https://www.politico.eu/
