Eurosam’s first export puts Danish industry in focus

As reported by Defence Nordic, Denmark has selected the European SAMP/T NG air defence system as part of efforts to strengthen its ground-based air and missile defence.

The contract marks the first export beyond the Franco-Italian joint venture Eurosam, which is owned by Thales and MBDA.

- The confirmation of the SAMP/T NG contract with Denmark, making it the third country after France and Italy, marks a significant step forward for European air defence, said Hervé Dammann, executive vice-president for land and air systems at Thales, in a LinkedIn post.

The system is designed to counter a range of aerial threats, including aircraft, drones and ballistic missiles.

The decision places Denmark among a growing number of European countries investing in mobile, interoperable air defence systems in response to an evolving threat landscape.

SAMP/T NG (surface-to-air missile platform/terrestre- new generation) is positioned as a next-generation solution, combining radar, command and control, and interceptor missiles in a deployable configuration, according to a Thales press release issued on Tuesday.

Defence Nordic contacted Eurosam on Monday following notification of the contract via TED by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO). 

The company said it was "delighted" to receive the contract but have so far declined to provide further comment.

A key outstanding issue is whether the contract, reportedly worth around one point four billion euro, includes industrial participation for Danish industry. This has not been confirmed.

DALO declined to comment, citing the parliamentary situation in Denmark, where a government is still being negotiated.

According to DALO, two of the three interim air defence solutions previously considered included offset requirements of 25 percent.