The U.S. will triple production of missiles for the Patriot system and quadruple production for THAAD
The Pentagon has signed seven-year framework agreements with General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin that are expected to significantly expand the production of interceptor missiles for air and missile defense systems.
Production capacity for PAC-3 MSE interceptors, used by Patriot systems, is planned to triple. At the same time, production of missiles for THAAD systems is expected to quadruple.
As part of the agreements, the U.S. will also ramp up production of key missile components—engine casings, bodies, and warhead sections, as well as engine deployment systems and guide mechanisms.
The Pentagon stated that these multi-year contracts are intended to help increase production volumes, shorten delivery times, and expand U.S. defense capabilities more quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense.
The European Commission is pressuring Spain and Greece to transfer part of their stockpiles of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems to Ukraine. These are countries that still have significant stockpiles of such missiles. The EU is seeking to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense in the face of Russian attacks.
Stocks of U.S. Patriot interceptor missiles in Europe are at critically low levels, anonymous officials from the U.S. Department of Defense in Europe and NATO told the Associated Press.
