After France and Italy (the origin countries of the project), the ground-air defense system will equip the Danish armed forces starting in 2028.
An example of the rearmament efforts undertaken across the continent, Denmark has chosen the French-Italian anti-aircraft defense system SAMP/T NG, known as Mamba, to equip its armed forces. The information, known since late 2025, was confirmed with more details by Thales and MBDA, who produce the system within the Eurosam joint venture.
This agreement marks the first contract for export in Europe for the SAMP-T NG (Ground-to-Air Medium Range New Generation), a rival to the famous American Patriot system.
In addition to Italy and France, the countries that developed the “Mamba,” the system had been ordered and delivered in its previous version (SAMP/T) to Singapore, in two batteries, in 2017 and 2018. A unit had also been delivered to Ukraine after the Russian invasion of 2022.
The SAMP/T NG is designed to destroy ballistic missiles and maneuvering hypersonic missiles. “Facing a fully maneuvering Iskander, the SAMP/T system is not able to intercept it, however, the SAMP/T NG will be able to,” explained an industry source involved in the program regarding the Russian ballistic missile capable of maneuvering in a bouncing motion during descent.
The production of Aster missiles is ramping up.
The SAMP/T NG is a key component of SkyDefender, the integrated anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense system launched by Thales. Capable of detecting ballistic missiles up to 5,000 km away and providing early warning, SkyDefender combines ground radars, infrared sensors on geostationary orbit satellites, and means to neutralize threats (missiles, rockets, and other ammunition).
Within this multi-layered system, the SAMP-T NG provides medium-range protection, with the Ground Fire radar capable of detecting targets up to 150 km and providing 360-degree coverage in the operations center. This radar, in series production since early 2025, recently demonstrated its exceptional performance during a qualification test of the French version of the SAMP/T NG system, Thales praised.
“Denmark will benefit from the increased production of the SAMP/T-NG system and the production of ASTER missiles, with deliveries starting from 2028,” Thales further assured in a press release issued on Tuesday, April 21.
“The SAMP/T NG is the best mobile ground-air system to guarantee the protection of Danish airspace and effectively contribute to the defense of European countries and NATO,” emphasized Thales Deputy Director Hervé Damann, thanking the Danish authorities for their trust.
