Luxembourg looks to EU SAFE to fund SAMP/T NG air defense system

Luxembourg is weighing its options for long-range air and missile defense as European manufacturers MBDA and Thales intensify efforts to promote the SAMP/T Next Generation system across the continent, positioning it as a European alternative to the US-made Patriot.

According to industry and diplomatic sources cited by the French publication La Lettre, Luxembourg is among the countries currently engaged in discussions with the Franco-Italian Eurosam consortium, which brings together MBDA and Thales. While no procurement decision has been announced, the country’s interest reflects a broader reassessment of air defense needs among smaller European states amid a rapidly deteriorating security environment.

Luxembourg explores long-range air defense

Luxembourg has historically relied on allied protection for airspace defense but has increasingly sought to strengthen its own contributions to NATO’s integrated air and missile defense architecture. The country is already pursuing cooperation with Belgium on medium-range air defense, notably through the acquisition of the Norwegian NASAMS system, but has yet to commit to a solution for the long-range segment.

Long-range systems capable of countering aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats remain a significant capability gap for several European nations, particularly smaller states that favor multinational procurement or shared operational frameworks. In that context, Luxembourg’s evaluation is understood to include both European and US options.

SAMP/T NG gains visibility after Denmark decision

The SAMP/T NG, created by Eurosam, is the latest version of Europe’s only indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system. It uses MBDA’s ASTER 30 Block 1NT interceptor missile and is designed to address a broad range of aerial threats, including tactical ballistic missiles.

The system’s profile has risen both politically and operationally in recent years. France and Italy have deployed SAMP/T batteries to Ukraine as part of military assistance efforts, giving the system operational exposure in a high-intensity conflict environment.

That visibility was reinforced in 2025 when Denmark selected SAMP/T over the US-made Patriot for its long-range air defense requirement. This decision was widely interpreted as a signal of growing European interest in non-US solutions, especially since Copenhagen also chose to procure two VL MICA air defense systems from MBDA France for short-range protection.

Since then, MBDA and Thales have stepped up outreach across Europe, targeting countries reassessing their air defense posture in light of operational lessons drawn from Ukraine, growing concerns over missile and drone threats, and a broader reexamination of dependence on US defense systems amid increasingly strained transatlantic political relations. In October 2024, reports also emerged that Belgium was preparing to adopt the SAMP/T NG missile defense system.

European financing seen as a lever

Eurosam’s campaign is closely linked to European defense financing mechanisms, notably the EU’s SAFE initiative, which aims to facilitate joint procurement and offer favorable financing conditions for European equipment. For smaller countries such as Luxembourg, access to these instruments could weigh heavily in favor of a European system over US alternatives.

The debate over European long-range air defense is also unfolding alongside broader multinational efforts to build integrated continental capabilities. The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a German-led framework, seeks to establish a coordinated air and missile defense architecture through joint acquisitions of multiple systems. While ESSI has attracted wide participation, it has drawn criticism from France and others over its reliance on non-European equipment and the exclusion of platforms such as SAMP/T, highlighting persistent divisions over strategic autonomy and industrial priorities within Europe.The post Luxembourg looks to EU SAFE to fund SAMP/T NG air defense system appeared first on AeroTime.

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