Can Europe’s SAMP/T replace Patriot against ballistic missiles? Ukraine will find out this year

Ukraine plans to test whether the European-made SAMP/T air defense system can intercept ballistic missiles later in 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

This comes as Kyiv searches for alternatives to the limited number of systems capable of countering one of Russia’s most dangerous weapons.

Ukraine expects new SAMP/T battery – and plans intercept tests

According to Interfax-Ukraine, Zelenskyy said Ukraine expects to receive another SAMP/T battery this year and will test whether it can successfully intercept ballistic missiles.

“SAMP/T is currently the only alternative in Europe,” Zelenskyy said. “We will see this year whether the new SAMP/T systems can shoot down ballistic missiles.”

If the system proves capable of intercepting such threats, Zelenskyy said it could become a long-term reinforcement for Ukraine’s air defense network.

Ballistic missiles remain the hardest threat to stop

Ballistic missiles are among the most difficult aerial threats to intercept because of their high speed and steep trajectories. At present, Ukraine’s most reliable defense against them comes from the American-made Patriot systems supplied by Western partners.

Ukraine has relied heavily on Patriot batteries to protect major cities and critical infrastructure, particularly as Russia increased the use of ballistic missiles during large-scale strike waves.

Those attacks intensified over the winter of 2025–2026, when Russian forces repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with combinations of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles in an effort to damage the power grid during the coldest months.

Middle East competition tightens the supply window

According to Zelenskyy, Kyiv is concerned that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could reduce the availability of air defense systems for Ukraine as countries redirect equipment to other regions.

The president said he plans to discuss additional air defense supplies with several countries, including systems currently held in storage.

Zelenskyy also said he is coordinating closely with Emmanuel Macron regarding the SAMP/T system. If testing confirms it can intercept ballistic missiles, he said, Ukraine would seek priority access to additional systems before demand grows elsewhere.