Biscarosse/France- 08 October, 2024 at the DGA French
firing range, DGA Essais de Missiles, a first Aster 30 B1 New Technology (B1NT)
missile, developed by EUROSAM1, was successfully launched against a
target in a complex scenario in presence of representatives of the three
Participating States (France, Italy and UK) of the historical trilateral
FSAF-PAAMS cooperation.
During this firing campaign called “Mercure”, the
missile was launched from an upgraded launcher of the SAMPT2 in the
configuration of the future SAMPT New Generation (SAMPT NG), also under
development for the two Nations.
This successful firing is a great achievement for the
bilateral programmes Aster 30 B1NT and SAMPT NG managed by OCCAR for France and
Italy. Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of OCCAR, experts from the
two Nations, (in particular from DGA3 and SGD4) and Industry,
this success is an important step forward for the development of these new
cutting-edge Air Defence assets to be delivered to the French Air Force and the
Italian Army and Air Force. The Aster 30 B1NT missile will be also integrated
on other naval programmes managed by OCCAR for the two Nations like the MLU
Horizon and PPA.
The OCCAR FSAF-PAAMS Programme Manager, presented the
importance of this cooperation managed by OCCAR which allowed to deliver
European combat-proven ground and naval systems to the Nations still currently
in service. He also provided an overview of the capability roadmap, built
jointly with DGA, SGD and DE&S, to extend and renew the Air Defence
capabilities for France, Italy and UK around the Aster missiles.
The French Minister of the Armed Forces, His
Excellency, Sebastian Lecornu, who attended this firing congratulated and
thanked all the stakeholders from OCCAR and the two Nations for this important milestone
in the development of this new missile Aster 30 B1NT and SAMPT NG which will
provide the forces the defence assets for the protection of the Nations against
growing complex threats.
1
eurosam is a Franco-Italian joint-venture created between
MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales. For more than 35 years, it has been the
industrial prime contractor and design authority for Aster missile-based air
defence systems.
2: Système Sol Air Moyenne
portée Terrestre in French.
3 :Direction Générale de
l’Armement
4 : Segretariato Generale
della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti