The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded COMLOG, a 50/50 joint venture between MBDA Germany and RTX business Raytheon, its first contract under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), Raytheon announced on 3 January 2024.
With a total value of up to USD 5.6 Bn (EUR 5.1 Bn), the NSPA contract supports a coalition of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, with a combined quantity of up to 1,000 Patriot GEM-T missiles if all options are exercised. The contract includes qualification of updated components, addition of new suppliers, test equipment, and spares to support future sustainment. To support delivery COMLOG will expand the production capacity of GEM-T missiles in Europe.
GEM-T, the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) missile interceptor enhanced for defeating tactical ballistic missiles, is a primary effector for the combat-proven Patriot air and missile defence system, which is used by eight European nations, as well as Ukraine, for defence against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aircraft.
Through the ESSI contract Patriot user nations “will realise significant benefits”, according to Raytheon. The bundled procurement offers economies of scale and supports the expansion of production capacity for new Patriot GEM-T missiles to meet increasing demand. The new production capacity for Patriot GEM-T missiles in Europe also enhances security of supply and will contribute to the replenishment of users’ Patriot air defence missile inventories. Finally, the initiative strengthens co-operation among NATO allies in alignment with the ESSI.
Stacy A Cummings, NSPA General Manager, was quoted by Raytheon as saying: “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 co-operation 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, MBDA Deutschland Managing Director, added, “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 US. Overall, the contract supports European Patriot user states, creates workplaces in Germany, and strengthens the supply chain for ammunition.”
Thomas Laliberty, President of Raytheon Land & Air Defense Systems, was quoted as saying, “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 that 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 co-operation among European Patriot allies.”
