NATO has awarded Raytheon a $478-million contract to deliver Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-Ts) to Germany.
It covers an undisclosed number of GEM-Ts in their Patriot Advanced Capability 2 interceptor configuration, developed for countering tactical ballistic and cruise missiles.
The weapons will support Berlin’s arms replenishment effort after a portion of the country’s stocks has been donated to Ukraine.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) said that Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands have agreed to help finance Germany’s procurement.
“This contract demonstrates once again that NSPA…delivers effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities,” NSPA General Manager Stacy Cummings remarked.
“Through close Euro-Atlantic cooperation between allies and industry, customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced their logistics footprint, and are obtaining capable solutions and support through a proven turnkey legal framework.”
Supporting NATO, EU Missions
According to Raytheon, 240 Patriot units have been distributed to 19 countries since the weapon’s induction.
Of international Patriot users, eight European nations and Ukraine currently employ the system.
Throughout the program, the system has completed over 3,000 ground tests and about 1,400 flight tests.
“Our customers are already realizing the benefits of bundled, multi-national procurement of Patriot missiles through NSPA, including the economies that offer greater affordability and the pre-negotiated contracting framework that shortens the acquisition timeline,” Raytheon Land and Air Defense Systems President Tom Laliberty stated in a concurrent announcement.
“As a result, not only can we better support the missile inventories for these European partners, but also strengthen our cooperation, their interoperability, and their contribution to an essential NATO mission.”
The Patriot
The Patriot surface-to-air defense system combines interceptor, radar, and command and control functions to scan, identify, and neutralize tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, aircraft, and other airborne threats.
Depending on its loaded missile, the weapon can reach altitudes up to 50,000 meters (164,041 feet) and defeat targets up to 180 kilometers (112 miles) away at Mach 5.5 (6,791 kilometers/4,220 miles per hour).
