This New Missile-Defense System Is Challenging the Patriot

The Patriot air-defense system is lauded by militaries around the world for its ability to shoot down deadly drones and missiles.

- Alistair MacDonald

Now, a new version of a European weapon is set to challenge its dominance and test whether the region can wean itself off U.S. arms.

Europe's so-called Samp/T has long been in the shadow of its American rival, which has secured far more orders and has proved itself on the battlefield.

The system's Franco-Italian maker says its next-generation model is better equipped to battle for orders.

The launch comes as Europe works to bolster its defense capabilities and debates whether it should be so dependent on U.S. weapons.

U.S. support for Ukraine has at times been uncertain under President Trump, who has called on Europe to look after its own security.

Front and center is air defense, which has proven essential for both Israel and Ukraine in defending against attacks by Iran and Russia, respectively.

The new Samp/T will take on the Patriot at a time when the U.S. system has been increasingly struggling in Ukraine as Russia introduces more maneuverable ballistic missiles, according to a Ukrainian official.

Governments across Europe are assessing their air-defense capabilities.

Denmark, which has been angered by Trump's desire to annex Greenland, has said it plans to decide which system to buy later this year.

Defense executives also expect Belgium, Portugal and the U.K. to soon upgrade air defenses.

At stake is billions of dollars in trade—and European pride.

During a recent air show in Paris, Eric Tabacchi pointed at the Samp/T's new radar as it rotated once a second, peering more than 220 miles into the sky.

"The Patriot has nothing like that," said Tabacchi, a military consultant at Eurosam, which makes the system.

Eurosam is a joint venture of missile maker MBDA and France's Thales.

The original Samp/T has so far been sold only to Italy and France—the nations that make it—as well as a modified version for Singapore.