Defense News

France & Ukraine

France has announced its decision to provide Ukraine with an additional batch of Aster 30 air defense missiles, as revealed by Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of Defence, in an interview with "La Tribune" newspaper. These missiles are part of the SAMP/T air and missile defense system, initially supplied to Ukraine by Italy and France.

This support comes amidst a critical period for Ukraine, which is facing relentless missile attacks from Russia. The decision to offer further military aid was made public on March 31st, following a week marked by severe Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. These strikes inflicted significant damage to the country's energy infrastructure, employing a mix of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

The challenge of countering such ballistic missile threats is a pressing concern for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who are grappling with a shortage of effective air defense systems. Presently, only the PATRIOT and SAMP/T systems, provided by Western nations, possess the capability to engage these threats. However, reports indicate that the missile arsenal for these systems is dwindling, compounded by the recent loss of two PATRIOT system launchers in precision attacks by Russian forces.

The additional delivery of Aster 30 missiles by France aims to fortify Ukraine's defensive capabilities, enabling them to better counter ballistic missiles and aerodynamic targets over distances exceeding 100 km. The SAMP/T system, armed with Aster 30 missiles, is designed to engage hostile aircraft within a range of 3 km to over 100 km and ballistic missiles within a range of 3 km to 25 km, at altitudes up to 25 km.

The Aster 30 missile specifications include a weight of 450 kg (990 lb), a length of 4.9 m (16 ft), a diameter of 180 mm (7.1 in), and a speed of Mach 4.5. It boasts a maximum intercept altitude of 18 km (60,000 ft) and is equipped with a two-stage design comprising a solid propellant booster and ramjet motor. Additionally, it features aerodynamic controls, thrust vectoring, and an active radar seeker for terminal guidance in all weather conditions. These missiles are seamlessly integrated into various air defense systems, enhancing their effectiveness in safeguarding against aerial threats.