MBDA Aster 15 / 30 / SAMP/T NG

The Aster family is Europe's primary medium- to long-range SAM, designed for both naval (PAAMS, fitted to UK Type 45 and Italian-French FREMM/Horizon) and ground (SAMP/T) use. The missile combines a unique "PIF/PAF" terminal-phase control: PIF (Pilotage en Force) is a lateral gas-thruster array around the centre of gravity that can correct the missile by 60 g+ in the terminal phase independently of aerodynamic control, while PAF is the aerodynamic canards used for mid-course. This combination delivers hit-to-kill-class precision against ballistic threats even though the Aster is not a pure KKV — it has a fragmentation warhead. Aster-15 (short, ship defense) has a 30 km range; Aster-30 (long, area defense) has a 120 km range and 25 km ceiling; Aster-30 NT (Block 1NT) adds improved anti-ballistic performance and entered service in 2024.