Denmark has officially selected the European SAMP/T NG air defense system for long-range needs, following the defense ministry’s statement in September 2025.
SAMP/T NG selection comes as Copenhagen urgently seeks a system with a rapid delivery timeline, unlike the US-made Patriot air defense system, which has long wait times amid a surge in demand due to the Ukraine-Russia war and conflict in the Middle East.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028. Once delivered, Denmark will become the third operator after France and Italy.
Thales’ Executive VP of Land and Air Systems, Hervé Dammann, described the system as “designed to ensure the protection of Danish airspace and to make a decisive contribution to the defence of European nations and NATO.”
SAMP/T NG
SAMP/T NG is a mobile ground-based system that intercepts threats like drones, jets, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles using Aster missiles that feature hit-to-kill technology.
Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR) oversees the SAMP/T NG program. Meanwhile, Eurosam, a Thales-MBDA joint venture, is the prime contractor.
The SAMP/T NG can seamlessly integrate with other European systems and forms a core element of Thales’ SkyDefender modular, multi-layer, and multi-domain integrated air and missile defense system.
Denmark’s selection mirrors the French configuration, which includes Thales’ Ground Fire 300 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, ME-NG (Next Generation Engagement Module) fire control, and Aster missiles.
This fully digital AESA radar delivers 360-degree azimuth coverage, a 90-degree elevation, and detection at up to 400 kilometers (249 miles), tracking over 1,000 targets simultaneously, even in jammed or cluttered conditions.