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2024-02-01

NSPA Activates US$ 5.6B Deal for 1,000 Patriot Missiles

This marks the first contract under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a crucial programme aimed at bolstering Europe’s missile defence capabilities.

The contract includes qualification of updated components, addition of new suppliers, test equipment, and spares to support future sustainment.

Production Surge

To ensure timely delivery of Patriot missile systems equipped with GEM-T interceptors, COMLOG will undertake a significant expansion of GEM-T missile production capacity within Europe. This initiative will involve bolstering existing facilities and potentially establishing new production lines across the continent to meet the growing demand for these advanced air defence capabilities.

The GEM-T missile interceptor reigns supreme as the primary effector for the Patriot air and missile defence system.

This highly-refined variant of the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) missile boasts enhanced capabilities for dismantling tactical ballistic missiles, adding a crucial layer of protection to the arsenal of eight European nations and Ukraine.

Patriot has earned the trust of these nations. Its proven effectiveness against a diverse array of adversaries, from cruise missiles and ballistic rockets to enemy drones and aircraft, makes it an indispensable asset in safeguarding lives and critical infrastructure.

Major Benefits

Through the latest contract, Patriot user nations will realise significant benefits. The bundled procurement, in the spirit of the ESSI, offers economies of scale and supports the expansion of production capacity for new Patriot GEM-T missiles to meet increasing demand.

The newly established production capacity for Patriot GEM-T missiles on European soil isn’t just a manufacturing boon; it’s a stroke of genius. Firstly, it guarantees a secure supply chain, unshackling European nations from potential external dependencies when it comes to this crucial air defence technology. This autonomy translates to swifter response times in times of need.

Stacy A. Cummings, General Manager NSPA, stated: “This contract demonstrates that NSPA, as a primary enabler of the Alliance, can successfully deliver effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities.

Through close Euro-Atlantic cooperation between allies and industry, NSPA has enabled the consolidation of requirements through the award of this complex contract. Customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced their logistics footprint, and are obtaining capable solutions and support under a proven turnkey legal framework.”

Thomas Gottschild, Managing Director MBDA Deutschland, noted: “The contract strengthens industrial and military capabilities in Europe. The order volume will enable MBDA to set up a production facility for Patriot missiles in Germany, as well as major subcomponent production. The COMLOG facility is currently the only one of its kind for the Patriot missile outside the U.S. Overall, the contract supports European Patriot user states, creates workplaces in Germany, and strengthens the supply chain for ammunition.”

Thomas Laliberty, President, Raytheon Land & Air Defence Systems, added: “Raytheon and MBDA have partnered with NSPA, the United States Army and a broad network of suppliers across the region to offer our European partners a GEM-T programme which increases NATO’s air defence missile inventory, strengthens NATO deterrence, and sustains the operational readiness of Patriot air defence systems across Europe. This bundled procurement strengthens cooperation among European Patriot allies.”

Procurement Hub

The NSPA serves as NATO’s primary body for multinational acquisition, support, and sustainment across all sectors. Based in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, it operates key centres in France, Hungary, and Italy, with a workforce exceeding 1,500 and supervision over 500 contractors, facilitating NATO’s missions and exercises.

COMLOG GmbH, is a 50/50 per cent joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, founded in 1987. COMLOG’s primary field of activity is the logistic support of Patriot PAC-2 missiles with the aim of maintaining operational capability. Since its founding, the company has performed maintenance for more than 5,000 PAC-2 missiles at the Patriot Missile Facility 3 (PMF-3), located in Schrobenhausen, Germany.

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