The SAMP/T battery, deployed at the Šiauliai base in Lithuania, has concluded the joint exercise which saw it operate together with the F-2000 fighters of the Italian Air Force, present in the operational theatre as part of the mission NATO Baltic Air Policing.
The unit, composed of personnel from the Sabaudia anti-aircraft artillery command and the 4th “Peschiera” anti-aircraft artillery regiment of the Italian Army, was included in the Task Force Air 36th Wing, deployed in Lithuania since 1 August 2024 to contribute to air defence and surveillance.
In this context, the SAMP/T Task Group carried out cooperation activities with the Air Force assets and with the Allied Forces within the scope of the capability NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence, both with real traces Live Exercise, both with simulated scenarios Synthetic Exercise.
The activities were structured following a building block approach and basically divided into two macro areas: basic training and operations. Joint Engagement Zone.
The first ones saw the participation of the F2000 assets and the SAMP/T system in the planning, execution and analysis of basic defense and mutual engagement maneuvers. The second ones also saw the participation of French aircraft Flurry, the Lithuanian NASAMS defense system and the radar control center. In these missions, the focus was on the ability to share the air situation (so-called 'picture') between all participating actors and on the centralized coordination of possible engagements of hostile tracks by the different defense systems.
The joint exercise, conducted in cooperation with other national and NATO assets deployed in the Baltics, in addition to demonstrating Italy's willingness to support the Allies on the eastern flank with high operational value capabilities, has allowed to strengthen the deterrent posture of the Atlantic Alliance and to contribute to the "collective defense". The activity has also allowed to increase interoperability and has represented an important opportunity for joint training.
The SAMP/T System
Entered into service in 2013, the SAMP/T has cutting-edge capabilities in countering air threats and short-range tactical ballistic missiles, operating in operational scenarios characterized by reduced reaction times against air threats and high mobility. SAMP/T assets regularly conduct training activities aimed at improving interoperability with national air defense systems, even in the presence of Electronic Warfare.
Furthermore, the SAMP/T is included in the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence programme aimed at defending areas or vital objectives of interest to the Alliance from air and missile threats.
La NATO Air Policing
La NATO Air Policing It is part of the broader NATO defence and deterrence mechanism called Air Shielding, within the jurisdiction of theAir Command of Ramstein in Germany.
La Baltic Air Policing has been in force since April 2004; to date 17 Allies have participated in the defense of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Italy participates in NATO Air Policing missions to defend the Alliance's borders in the skies of the Baltics, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Albania and Montenegro.
