A military expert assessed whether the European SAMP/T system could replace the Patriot system in Ukraine
/88x88/filters:format(webp)/p/5/70/6511266e5e5822a9f31e393ff56d0705.webp "Yeva Slastnova")
journalist
Pavlo Narozhniy, founder of the "Reactive Mail" Charitable Organization and a military expert, believes that the modernized Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system is currently unable to replace the American Patriot system for Ukraine.
He spoke about this in a comment to "Shelter."
As Narozhniy explained, the SAMP/T NG is a new system of which only a few units actually exist. France promises that the new version, unlike the previous one, will be capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
However, according to the expert, the ability to intercept targets is only one part of the problem; the other lies in the scale and speed of production of Aster 30 missiles for the SAMP-T.
Take the Patriot system, for example: it uses two types of missiles—the PAC-2 and PAC-3—which are manufactured by different companies: Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. In this case, production is handled by a Franco-Italian consortium. The consortium spans two vast countries. And during the manufacturing process, these missiles travel back and forth between Italy and France. This whole process is very slow
Pavlo Narozhniyfounder of the “Reactive Mail” Charitable Organization, military expert
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He noted that the European conglomerate publishes only general figures—approximately 100–120 missiles of all types per year, whereas the Aster 30 anti-ballistic missiles Ukraine needs are produced at a rate of up to 70 units per year, according to the most optimistic estimates.
Given that Russia produces about 60 ballistic missiles per month, this is clearly not enough to meet our needs. And we have no choice but to purchase Patriots. While the Americans are articulating their plans for ramping up production—Lockheed Martin is upgrading its production lines and developing PAC-3 MSE missiles—it remains unclear what the Europeans’ plans are and how they intend to meet this demand.
Pavlo NarozhniyFounder of the “Reactive Mail” Charitable Organization, military expert
Last month, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would be the first to receive the new, enhanced SAMP/T NG systems.
Separately, France will provide the country with two SAMP/T systems. Kyiv will also receive licenses to manufacture SCALP missiles, AASM bombs, and, jointly with Italy, Aster 30 missiles.
Author
Yeva Slastnova journalist
All materialsShe studied at the School of Journalism at the Boris Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, majoring in "International Journalism." She worked at NV for three years.