Ukraine Will Get One Of The Best Patriot Alternatives For Anti-ballistics Warfare

• 15.03.2026, 12:44

The SAMP/T air defense system will be tested later this year.

Ukraine will start testing a new air defense system to counter Russian ballistic strikes. This was stated by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky while speaking to journalists, RBC-Ukraine reports.

According to him, this year Ukraine should receive from France a new air defense system SAMP/T, which they plan to test to intercept ballistic missiles. He added that during talks with French President Emmanuel Macron one of the key topics was the possibility of receiving an alternative to Patriot air defense systems.

The head of state noted that SAMP/T is currently the only European alternative to such systems. Ukraine plans to test its capabilities to counter ballistic missiles already this year. If the test results are successful, such a system could become an important long-term support for Ukrainian air defense.

The Ukrainian president also added that if the results are positive, Ukraine will have priority in the queue to receive new SAMP/T systems.

"If the French and I succeed and we are able to shoot down ballistic missiles, this is the first such alternative. And certainly Emmanuel and I agree that Ukraine will be the first in that line. Because as soon as they start shooting down ballistics, there will be a queue right away. So my main task was to agree that we test with them together and we will be first in line. I don't see any other alternatives yet," summarizes the head of state.