France made Germany proposal to join SAMP/T NG production — proposal goal is expanding Europe's own capabilities in anti-ballistic defense segment, and creating relevant alternative to Patriot.
Here worth mentioning MEADS SAM system project for PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles, which was also to become Europe's candidate for Patriot replacement, but never reached serial production. MEADS story becomes contrast for why SAMP/T has such important advantage as candidate for pan-European SAM system against ballistic missiles.
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To begin, worth specifying that proposal for Germany to join SAMP/T project was publicly voiced by French President Emmanuel Macron after both countries' defense ministers meeting in Augsburg, Hartpunkt portal writes. Formulations in Macron's statement allow assuming French propose Germans localize Aster 30B1 NT interceptor missile production at MBDA Deutschland facilities, where PAC-3 GEM-T production for Patriot is also already localized.
However Germany joining this project can occur only under condition that Bundeswehr also wants to purchase SAMP/T NG. In parallel, France and Germany jointly work on creating ballistic missiles with range up to 2,500 kilometers, work on which is conducted by Ariane Group, called Franco-German.
In one of its publications, Defense Express previously reported on MEADS project, so briefly recall basic details. Initial work stage on this project started in late 1980s with goal of creating MIM-23 Hawk replacement. In 1995, Lockheed Martin and MBDA began jointly working on MEADS, with participants including Germany and Italy, at this stage goal became creating replacement already for Patriot.
MEADS was tailored for PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles, differed from Patriot in battery composition — six launchers totaling 48 missiles, transport-loading vehicle, multifunction fire control radar (MCFR), surveillance radar and control center (BMC4I). MCFR had 360-degree view, thanks to which MEADS could have better coverage area compared to Patriot.
During 2012-2013, MEADS successfully passed testing, conducting cycle of test launches in various conditions and against various aerial target simulator types. In open access were reports that in 2015 Germany officially showed interest in purchasing MEADS, however this remained at plan level.
Taking modern realities, MEADS has two weak points at once
- Use of scarce PAC-3 MSE and
- U.S. participation in this project, which currently distinguishes itself with behavior unpredictability.
Specifically on this contrast it becomes clearer what one candidate for Patriot alternative is genuinely better than another.
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