France to Send Untested Air Defense System Directly to Ukraine Frontlines

France will send its newest and most advanced air defense system, the SAMP/T NG, to Ukraine. In a historic move, the system's first-ever operational deployment will be on the Ukrainian battlefield, not with French forces. The announcement is part of a new 10-year bilateral security agreement between Paris and Kyiv. The system is scheduled to arrive in Ukraine in 2026. The SAMP/T NG (Surface-to-Air Medium Range/Terrain New Generation) is designed to intercept a wide range of threats. These include stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Sending it directly into combat represents a significant technological commitment from France. This deployment marks a shift in how allies equip Ukraine. Instead of providing older surplus equipment, nations are now committing their latest, unproven-in-combat systems directly to the conflict zone.