A video released by the French Senate on November 8, 2025, reignited NATO debates after General Fabien Mandon, France’s Chief of Defense Staff, claimed that the European SAMP/T air defense system outperforms the U.S.-built Patriot in Ukraine. According to Mandon, some modified Russian missiles bypass Patriot defenses, whereas SAMP/T batteries continue to intercept similar threats effectively, providing one of the clearest official combat-based comparisons of NATO’s long-range air defense systems.
Radar Capabilities and Threat Detection
The Patriot uses the AN/MPQ-65 X-band radar, detecting high-altitude aircraft at 150–170 km and low-signature cruise missiles at 100–130 km. Coverage is limited to 120 degrees, requiring auxiliary radars or repositioning for full-sector defense. Detection-to-engagement time ranges 8–15 seconds.
SAMP/T offers 360-degree coverage with the Thales Arabel radar and upgraded SAMP/T NG incorporating the Thales Ground Fire 300 digital AESA radar. Detection ranges reach 500 km for high-altitude targets and 150–180 km for cruise missiles, with refresh cycles under 2 seconds. Tactics allow simultaneous fire control and target acquisition under heavy jamming, with engagement cycles of 5–10 seconds.
Missile Systems and Engagement
Patriot employs PAC-3 MSE hit-to-kill interceptors guided by inertial navigation and mid-course radar updates. Terminal guidance is active radar-based, reaching Mach 4.5, 100 km range, and 35 km altitude. Electronic warfare and saturation attacks may impact performance.
SAMP/T uses the Aster 30 missile, featuring dual-pulse motor, active radar seeker, and PIF-PAF thrust vectoring for terminal maneuverability. Engagement range is 120–150 km, altitude ceiling 30 km. The Aster 30 Block 1NT variant can intercept medium-range ballistic missiles up to 1,500 km. Unlike kinetic-impact Patriot, Aster employs a proximity-fused warhead effective against maneuverable targets and drone swarms.
Mobility and Survivability
Patriot batteries are trailer-mounted and take 4–6 hours to deploy, optimized for static defense.
SAMP/T is mobile on 8×8 wheeled platforms, capable of setup, firing, and redeployment within 30 minutes. Vertical launch enables 360-degree coverage, enhancing survivability, a feature highlighted by Ukrainian operators in countering persistent drones and strikes.
Operational Experience in Ukraine
Patriot has defended key infrastructure and military sites since early 2023, successfully intercepting Kinzhal, Iskander-M, Kh-22 missiles, and Shahed drones. Sector gaps and persistent drone swarms have challenged some batteries.
SAMP/T, deployed mid-2024, demonstrated high reliability and intercept success. Ukrainian crews reported successful engagement of modified Kh-101 cruise missiles that evaded Patriot. In October 2025 near Vinnytsia, a battery intercepted three cruise missiles in 30 seconds and redeployed within minutes, proving suitability for mobile operations under electronic warfare conditions.
Strategic and Alliance Implications
Mandon’s remarks reflect a European reassessment of NATO air defense policy. SAMP/T’s combat validation may influence procurement balance, future exports, and frontline states’ systems selection.
Patriot remains central to NATO’s integrated air defense, offering interoperability, broad user base, and logistics support. Upcoming LTAMDS upgrades aim to reduce current limitations, though they are not yet fielded in Ukraine.
SAMP/T provides full azimuth coverage, fast engagement, high missile maneuverability, and rapid redeployment, making it highly adaptable to modern threats. In saturation and electronic warfare environments, SAMP/T emerges as one of NATO’s most responsive and survivable platforms.
The Ukraine conflict highlights the strengths and limitations of both systems. Patriot excels in static, high-value target defense with layered precision, while SAMP/T delivers tactical agility, all-direction engagement, and rapid response to evolving threats. NATO’s ongoing reassessment of air defense posture is informed by these hard-earned battlefield insights.
