France will supply Ukraine with an additional radar for the SAMP/T air defense system to use while one of the existing radars undergoes repairs, French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin announced during a briefing in Kyiv.
"We are working on this issue, particularly on repairing the radar for the SAMP/T, and we plan to provide a replacement radar while that one is being repaired," Vautrin said, according to Ukrinform.
The minister explained that France is focusing on repairing existing SAMP/T radars and maintaining the systems already in use, given that radar availability depends on the manufacturer's capabilities. The goal is to ensure all necessary maintenance and repairs are carried out.
Vautrin also confirmed that France is in contact with defense contractors, including MBDA, the manufacturer of the SAMP/T system, regarding missile supplies for the air defense complex.
"For example, between 2024 and 2025, the company was able to double its production of missiles, but we believe more needs to be done, and therefore we are working in this direction," Vautrin said.
French President Emmanuel Macron previously said that new SAMP/T air defense systems could be deployed on Ukrainian territory as early as 2026.
On 7 February, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed strengthening Ukrainian air defense and the supply of Mirage and Rafale aircraft with Vautrin, Ukrinform reported.
