France proposes joint production of SAMP/T NG air defense system with Germany (opex360.com)

• Macron offers Germany co-production of SAMP/T NG.
• System was previously sidelined in the ESSI initiative.
• Move aims to bolster European air defense autonomy.

"President Macron offered Germany joint production of the SAMP/T NG air defense system, aiming to strengthen European sovereignty in air defense and reduce reliance on US and Israeli systems. He announced this at the Franco-German defense council on July 17, 2026, in Brühl. The SAMP/T NG was previously excluded from the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), which favored IRIS-T SLM, Arrow-3, and Patriot."