On 30 January 2024. OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sucker and Eurosam Managing Director Anne Diaz De Tuesta signed the 14th Contract Amendment for the FSAF-PAAMS Sustainment & Enhancement (S&E) Contract, which covers the production of Aster 30 B1 ground, Aster 30 B1NT ground and naval for the Italian Participating State in consistency with the global order of Aster munitions contracted by OCCAR-EA for France and Italy in December 2022.

This amendment also saw the launch of SAMP/T NG ground systems production activities. Through this amendment Eurosam and its members MBDA and Thales will produce four SAMP/T NG sections for the Italian Army, and supplementary activities for France with the aim to secure the future launch of the full serial production of SAMP/T NG sections for the French Air Force.

This is an additional step towards the renewal of this European Medium-Range Air-Defence Ground capabilities, following the SAMP/T NG development launched by the two Nations in 2021, the production of pre-serial systems beginning 2023 and the joining of the SAMP/T and Aster community by the Italian Air Force with the procurement of five SAMPT NG sections last July 2023.

Furthermore, this contractual change includes the supplementary procurement of additional equipment for the United Kingdom for the Mid-Life Update Aster production. The MLU Aster production is ongoing since 2021 for the three Nations, and OCCAR and Industry met the first deliveries for France and Italy in December 2023.

This amendment, in fact, is a further catalyst that promotes and reinforces the existing cooperation amongst the three Nations. OCCAR-EA and Eurosam will therefore continue to lead the way for the benefit of the French and Italian Air Forces, Italian Army and the three Navies in this particular global context which demonstrates the importance to provide upgraded Air-Defence systems to face more and more challenging threats.