Alternative zu Patriot: Macron bietet Deutschland Koproduktion beim Luftverteidigungssystem SAMP/T NG an
www.hartpunkt.de
Frankreich und Deutschland wollen bei der Integrierten Luftverteidigung und Raketenabwehr (IAMD) eine Zusammenarbeit bei souveränen europäischen Fähigkeiten zur Abwehr ballistischer Raketen prüfen.

Translated using LM Studio (Gemma 4) with Solar/Battery!

Alternative to Patriot: Macron offers Germany co-production of SAMP/T NG air defence system

France and Germany intend to explore cooperation in sovereign European capabilities for ballistic missile defence as part of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD). Along with Deep Precision Strike and early warning, these are identified as essential capabilities for managing escalation below the nuclear threshold, according to conclusions from the Franco-German Defence and Security Council (DFVSR) meeting held yesterday at Nörvenich Air Base.

French President Emmanuel Macron was even more explicit during the press conference following yesterday’s Franco-German ministerial meeting at Schloss Augustusburg in Brühl: “Regarding air defence, we are striving for European sovereignty. We want to progress with the new generation SAMP/T. France clearly has the desire to offer a clear, joint solution in co-production, together with Germany and our Italian partners involved in the new generation SAMP/T.”

This statement indicates that Macron is apparently prepared to involve Germany in the production of SAMP/T NG, likely on the condition that the Bundeswehr opts for the system. Currently, SAMP/T is the only European air defence system with the capability to intercept ballistic missiles. It is manufactured by Eurosam, a consortium comprising MBDA France, MBDA Italy, Thales, and Leonardo. It is conceivable that MBDA Germany could be integrated into missile production should Germany pursue the procurement. The upcoming, most advanced variant, SAMP/T NG (New Generation), features the new Aster 30 B1 NT missile, which is intended to offer higher performance against ballistic missiles than its predecessor.

The German Luftwaffe currently relies on the American Patriot system using the PAC-3 MSE interceptor for endo-atmospheric missile defence.

While highly capable, it currently suffers from very long lead times and is produced only in the USA and in small quantities in Japan. There appear to be no plans to establish production in Europe in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Bundeswehr remains entirely dependent on US government requirements for its procurement.

In addition to the SAMP/T NG cooperation proposal, another notable outcome of yesterday’s ministerial meeting was noted in the DFVSR conclusions: France and Germany, alongside their British partners, will examine cooperation opportunities in all areas of Deep Precision Strike, with a particular focus on “ballistic propulsion technology” for long-range effectors (2,500 kilometres). The two partner countries “recognise the existing capabilities of the Franco-German company ArianeGroup and will investigate them,” the text states.

This clearly implies that long-range conventional ballistic missiles are also being considered as Deep-Precision-Strike weapons for Germany.

Previously, observers assumed that the Bundeswehr would focus on long-range cruise missiles in the medium term and hypersonic glide vehicles in the long term.

The French military also seeks new standoff weapons with ranges exceeding 2,000 kilometres. In this context, ArianeGroup has already been commissioned to conduct a study on a corresponding ballistic missile and has presented the Missile Balistique Tactique (MBT) concept at several trade fairs. Alongside the civilian Ariane 6 rocket, ArianeGroup also produces the French nuclear missile M51. They do not, however, offer cruise missiles.