The FSAF SAMP/T "Mamba" is a medium-range anti-aircraft missile system developed by the Italian-French consortium Eurosam. In the late 1980s, European countries announced plans to develop their own modern anti-aircraft system. The result of this effort was the Aster missile, adopted by the French Navy in the early 2000s.
Following its successful deployment, the concept of integrating Aster missiles into a mobile, ground-based system emerged. Thus, the SAMP/T (Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain) system, which works with Aster 30 missiles, was created in the early 2010s. The system is mounted on truck chassis (French use Renault while Italians use Iveco), allowing it to be quickly deployed to the desired location and providing flexible protection for stationary objects and army units. Initially, the French Air Force planned to purchase 12 systems to equip five air defense squadrons (EPVOs), but the order was reduced to ten systems in 2013 to equip four squadrons of 130 personnel each. Each squadron received two SAMP/T systems to form a section.
The FSAF SAMP/T (Mamba) (TEL) was introduced in Update 2.49 "Tusk Force" as a part of the multi-vehicle system. The complex consists of three vehicles: TADS with a detection radar and two TELs with missiles. The launchers do not require additional researching and can be used in combat via the TADS. The vehicles are equipped with Aster 30 missiles featuring ARH+IOG+DL guidance. These highly maneuverable missiles can track and hit targets at considerable distances. However, TEL vehicles have no protection, and their enormous size and inability to engage ground targets require to hide them behind covers.
| Ammunition | Type | Armor penetration (mm) at a distance: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1000 m | 1500 m | 2000 m | ||
| AAM | — | — | — | — | — | — | |