Paris, July 08, Brussels Morning Newspaper – SAMP-T air defence discussions between France, Turkey and Italy remain active as technical work continues, French President Emmanuel Macron said. His remarks come as European nations strengthen defence cooperation in response to evolving regional security challenges.
Macron Confirms Technical Progress
Macron said engineers and defence officials from the three countries are continuing technical discussions on the SAMP-T programme. While no timeline for a final agreement was announced, he stressed that cooperation remains ongoing.
“Technical work with Turkey and Italy is continuing on the SAMP-T programme,”
Macron said during a media briefing.
The SAMP-T system, jointly developed by France and Italy, is designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and certain ballistic missile threats.
European Defence Cooperation Remains a Priority
The continued talks highlight Europe’s broader push to improve air defence capabilities and expand cooperation among allied nations. Turkey has previously expressed interest in advanced missile defence technology, making the discussions significant for future regional security planning.
Defence analysts say maintaining technical dialogue allows governments to keep long-term cooperation options open while political and commercial negotiations continue.
What Comes Next
Officials have not announced when negotiations could conclude or whether a formal agreement will be reached. However, Macron’s comments indicate that technical collaboration remains active despite previous delays.
As European governments continue increasing defence investment, the SAMP-T programme is expected to remain an important part of future security discussions and defence industry cooperation.
