Ukraine received the promised SAMP / T air defense system
Last year, France and Italy promised the Kyiv regime to supply SAMP / T anti-aircraft missile systems. It was assumed that such a medium / long range system would strengthen the air defense of key installations and protect them from Russian strike weapons. However, the promised equipment had to wait a long time, and it is only now taking up duty. In addition, the amount of assistance turned out to be insufficient even to partially cover the needs of the Ukrainian air defense.
Long wait
In October 2022, the Kiev region turned to foreign countries with a request for the supply of modern air defense systems. The reason for this was Russian massive strikes on military infrastructure using cruise missiles and strike UAVs. Soon foreign partners began to report their readiness to help.
So, at the end of the month, it became known that France and Italy would jointly assemble and transfer to Ukraine a long-range air defense system SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne-Portée/Terrestre). As it became known later, each of the countries had to allocate certain components of the complex, from which they then planned to assemble a battery to be sent to the Kyiv regime. In addition, an order was being prepared for 700 anti-aircraft missiles, presumably to replenish their own arsenals and send them to Ukraine.
The transfer of the air defense system was planned over the next few months. At the same time, the exact date was not specified at first, and then the estimated dates were shifted. So, in March, foreign media reported that SAMP / T will go to the recipient in the coming weeks. However, it soon became known that the preparation of the complex was being delayed, and it could not be shipped before June. The reason for this shift was called some technical problems.
At the end of May, the Italian press reported that the Ministry of Defense was preparing another, already seventh, package of assistance to Ukraine. According to her, it was this package that should have included funds from the SAMP / T air defense system. However, the timing of the approval of such a package, as well as the subsequent delivery of equipment, was not specified then. All these activities could take up to several weeks.
This time the forecasts and expectations came true. On June 20, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the completion of all necessary preparations and the transfer of the promised air defense system. According to him, at the time of these statements, the SAMP / T product had already reached Ukraine, was deployed and took up combat duty. Where exactly the complex works and how its duty is organized, for obvious reasons, was not reported.
Technical potential
France and Italy have reportedly provided the Kyiv regime with just one SAMP/T SAM battery pack. At the same time, they provided an unfinished complex, removed from duty or storage. The two countries allocated separate components from their parts, which were then assembled into a complete set. So, the French army shared launchers and ammunition, and the Italian gave its radar station and some other means.
A typical SAMP / T SAM battery includes a command post, an Arabel radar for detection and fire control, as well as from 4 to 6 launchers. Each launcher holds eight missiles of the Aster 30 type - the total ammunition load of the battery, ready for launch, includes from 32 to 48 missiles. All fixed assets of the air defense system are made on wheeled chassis, which increases their mobility. In this case, combat work is carried out only after deployment to the position.
The tasks of tracking airspace, searching and tracking targets are assigned to the multifunctional radar "Arabel". This product is equipped with phased array and includes digital data processing. The detection range of an air target, depending on its type, exceeds 150-200 km, i.e. significantly higher than the launch range of any regular missiles.
Processing of data on the air situation, determination of the degree of danger of targets and preparation for launches is carried out by an automated command post. In addition, the command post of the SAMP / T complex has communication and data transmission facilities for working in a layered multi-component air defense of NATO standards.
The SAMP / T complex is actually built around the previously developed Aster 30 anti-aircraft guided missile. This is a product of a two-stage bicaliber scheme with a solid propellant propulsion system. The length of the rocket is 4,9 m with a mass of 450 kg. The second stage is equipped with an inertial navigation system and an active radar seeker, providing access to the target area with its subsequent search and defeat. The product is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing 15 kg.
In the basic modification of the Aster 30 SAM, it developed a speed of 1400 m / s and had a firing range of 120 km. Subsequently, they carried out modernization, due to which the range was brought up to 150 km. This, in a known way, improved the general characteristics and combat capabilities of the air defense system, and also made it possible to formally transfer it into the category of long-range systems.
The Aster 30 missile is designed to intercept various targets over the entire range. Declared the ability to deal with aircraft of different classes, helicopters and UAVs. In addition, the SAMP / T air defense system can work on ballistic targets - missile warheads with a firing range of up to 600 km.
Practical benefits
In general, the SAMP / T product is a completely modern foreign air defense system with fairly high performance characteristics. In its appearance and capabilities, this complex is similar to other foreign air defense systems of current models. At the same time, in terms of the totality of capabilities and parameters, it surpasses some systems and is inferior to others.
Obviously, SAMP/T is able to fully realize its technical potential only as part of a developed air defense system with a sufficient number and quality of components. In the case of Ukraine, the possibility of its effective application is in question, and for a number of reasons. In addition, difficulties and problems along the line of operation are to be expected.
The SAMP / T complex is really capable of covering a significant area from various threats. However, the Kyiv regime was given only one battery with a certain supply of missiles. Accordingly, with the help of the received equipment, it will not be able to fundamentally increase the affected area of Ukrainian air defense.
The French-Italian air defense system is made according to NATO standards, thanks to which it can be used with other foreign air defense systems - locators, command posts, communication systems, etc. Whether such opportunities will be used, and how successful such a defense organization will be, is a big question.
However, practice shows that Ukrainian air defense is vulnerable to Russian strikes. Any of its components, including SAMP / T, can be identified and become a target for Russian weapons. Our army has already destroyed or disabled a number of advertised foreign designs, and SAMP / T will not be an exception.
It should be noted that the destruction of the "new" foreign air defense system is not a fundamentally mandatory action. As the events of recent months have shown, our missiles and UAVs are able to operate freely in the areas of responsibility of the Ukrainian air defense and solve assigned tasks. However, it will be necessary to destroy the enemy air defense systems, incl. and for humanitarian reasons. Like other complexes, SAMP / T will become a new threat to local urban development, infrastructure and residents.
Common problems
Thus, France and Italy nevertheless assembled and handed over to Ukraine the promised SAMP / T anti-aircraft missile system - but it took more than six months. Now the only battery of such an air defense system is on alert and it is assumed that it will be able to strengthen the air defense of one of the important areas. However, the experience of recent months shows that this should not be counted on.
All this story again shows the characteristics and problems of foreign armies. For a long time, the countries of NATO and Europe have relied on collective security and defense, which is why they skimped on their own armed forces. The number of tools and complexes in service was reduced to a minimum. And now they simply do not have a sufficient supply of modern products to help friendly Ukraine. However, given the political environment, such a scenario should be considered positive.
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