Europe’s Samp/T missile defense challenges US Patriot dominance

The next-generation Samp/T air-defense system, developed jointly by France and Italy, is emerging as a direct challenger to the long-dominant US Patriot system. With billions of dollars and strategic independence at stake, Europe’s move could reshape the transatlantic arms market and realign its future defense postures, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The US-made Patriot has secured more than 240 orders from nineteen countries, its reputation bolstered by successful deployments in Ukraine against Russian missile barrages. However, the battlefield is evolving—Russian forces have introduced highly maneuverable ballistic missiles that have challenged the Patriot’s effectiveness. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s experience with the Samp/T has been mixed; while some Ukrainian officials noted struggles with certain threats, Italian defense authorities report “positive feedback” overall.

Both systems are adapting. Eurosam, the Franco-Italian consortium behind Samp/T, touts a radar capable of 360-degree coverage and vertical-launch canisters for quicker, more flexible responses. Its new Aster B1NT missile boasts a range exceeding ninety miles, up from sixty-two miles in prior iterations. The Samp/T is also more deployable, requiring as few as fifteen personnel to set up—far fewer than the US Army’s ninety for a Patriot battery. The Patriot, in response, is developing its own advanced radar but it is not expected to be fielded until fiscal year 2029.

With European countries reassessing reliance on US weapons—especially amid fluctuating US commitments under President Trump—the Samp/T’s emergence is part of a broader push for EU-made alternatives. Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, and the UK, among others, are evaluating air-defense upgrades expected to influence future procurement decisions.