The Italian Army have a battery of SAMP/T air defense missile system deployed in Kuwait. The deployment of the SAMP/T to support Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). OIR is the U.S. military’s operational name for the International military intervention against ISIL, including both a campaign in Iraq and a campaign in Syria, with a closely-related campaign in Libya. Italy contributes to Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Currently, Italy is committed with its military in the Operation “Prima Parthica” with Air, Naval and Ground assets and the deployment of personnel in Iraq, Kuwait, Barhain, Qatar, UAE and USA performing training, Advice & Assist and staff level activities within the multinational coalition.
SAMP/T is a theater-level air defense system designed for point defense against current and future airborne threats. One of only a handful of European-produced systems that can counter ballistic missiles, SAMP/T is developed by Eurosam and jointly owned by MBDA Missile Systems and Thales. ASTER 30 SAMP/T is the 21st century’s main, mobile anti-aircraft defence weapon for theatre protection. It protects sensitive sites and deployed forces against missile threats (TBM, stand off, cruise missiles, ARM) and aircraft, replacing all existing medium range ground-to-air systems. The system is fielded by Italy and France to protect against UAVs, cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles ranging up to 600 km, and fighter aircraft.
Aster 30 Block 1 is used in the Eurosam SAMP/T system operated by the French Air Force and the Italian Army. The ASTER 30 SAMP/T system is designed to meet medium and long range air defence needs. It can operate in stand alone mode or can be integrated in a co-ordinated network. ASTER is a two-stage missile, a concept which leads to maximum effectiveness of the interceptor stage. The solid propellant booster ensures the optimum shaping of the missile’s trajectory in the direction of the target and separates a few seconds after the vertical launch. Up to its mid-course, the weapon is inertially guided, using refreshed target data transmitted by the engagement module through the multi-function radar. During the homing phase, guidance is achieved by an electromagnetic active seeker providing a highly accurate capability in all weathers.
