Raytheon has been awarded a USD 1.2 billion (EUR 1.11 billion) contract to supply Germany with additional Patriot air and missile defence systems, parent company RTX announced on 21 March 2024.
The scope of the contract includes the most current Patriot Configuration 3+ radars, launchers, command-and-control stations, associated spares, and support.
“This contract reflects the global emphasis on advanced air and missile defence capabilities and the steadfast confidence in Patriot,” Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, was quoted as saying in an RTX press release. “With this expansion, Germany will not only modernise its own significant air defence but enhance its interoperability with allies and further strengthen a core NATO mission.”
This latest German contract follows the NATO Support and Procurement Agency awarding a USD 5.5 billion contract to COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon and German company MBDA, for 1,000 Patriot missiles to strengthen the alliance’s air defences. The large volume of that order is supporting the establishment of a production facility for Patriot missiles in Germany.
NATO has deployed Patriot missile batteries to protect its allies in Eastern Europe, while NATO allies have also delivered Patriot systems to Ukraine to defend against Russian air and missile attacks.
The Patriot air defence system first entered service with the Luftwaffe in late 1989 and is in service with the armed forces of 19 countries. The system is designed to defeat advanced long-range cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles and the full spectrum of air-breathing threats.
