NATO members have agreed to purchase up to 1,000 Patriot missiles to enhance their air defense capabilities, in a deal worth $5.5 billion, the NATO procurement agency NSPA said.
The contract also covers test equipment and spare parts for future maintenance, NSPA said, adding that new suppliers are being brought on board.
NSPA was commissioned for the purchase of air defense systems by various NATO member countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Romania.
The agency has awarded the production and delivery contract for the weapons to COMLOG, a joint venture between European defense manufacturer MBDA and the American company Raytheon Technologies. As per the agreement, the four countries will receive a joint quantity of up to 1,000 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles. No delivery timeline was made available.
Stacy A. Cummings, the head of NSPA, said the contract demonstrates the agency’s ability to deliver effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions for customer countries. Additionally, she emphasized that it contributes to bolstering European industrial capabilities
“Customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced their logistics footprint, and are obtaining capable solutions and support under a proven turnkey legal framework,” she said.
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the deal, saying, “This investment shows the strength of transatlantic defense cooperation and NATO’s commitment to keeping our people safe.”
Stoltenberg said the Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, cities, and towns underscore the critical need for modern air defenses. “Scaling-up ammunition production is key for Ukraine’s security and for ours,” he added.
NATO provides only non-lethal support to Ukraine but its members send weapons and ammunition individually or in groups to Kyiv to counter Russian offense.
Russia launched its most extensive attack on Ukraine last Friday, attacking two largest cities of the latter. Over 40 civilians have lost their lives since the weekend. The Russia-Ukraine, which started in February 2022, has turned into a prolonged winter war of attrition across the 1,000-kilometer front line.
Patriot missile system
The Patriot system, or “Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target,” is deployed to counter enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Renowned as one of the most advanced air defense systems globally, Patriots are highly effective in modern warfare scenarios.
- Patriot (MIM-104) is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defense system consisting of radars, command-and-control technology and multiple types of interceptors.
- This surface-to-air guided missile system can detect, identify and target tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft.
- The Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) system is produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
- The MIM-104 Patriot is the U.S. Army’s primary air and missile defense system.
- Patriot is in service with the US and allied countries including Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Poland, Sweden, Qatar, UAE, Romania, Spain, and Taiwan.
- The new Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile has increased effectiveness against tactical ballistic and cruise missiles through the use of advanced hit-to-kill technology.