Denmark chooses Europe's Patriot rival for its air defense system

Denmark has chosen the Franco‑Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system over its rival US Patriot counterpart, marking the first export of the next‑generation European system, the Thales Group announced Tuesday.

"This first export contract includes the supply of SAMP/T NG sections, which are scheduled to be delivered from 2028," the manufacturer said in a statement.

The deal makes Denmark officially the third country to join the SAMP/T NG community following the system's original developers, France and Italy.

"Denmark will benefit from the increased production capacity for the SAMP/T NG system and the production of Aster missiles," the statement added.

Denmark picked the SAMP/T system over the American-made Patriot in September.

The SAMP/T system is made by Eurosam, a joint venture between Thales and missile maker MBDA’s French and Italian branches.