Four European NATO members to buy 1,000 Patriot missiles from US in $5.5 billion deal

Europe, News January 5, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

A coalition of four European and NATO member states, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Romania, have jointly ordered 1000 U.S.-made Patriot missiles in a $5.5 billion amid Russia’s renewed intensive airstrikes on major Ukrainian cities.

NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency reported that the purchase has been approved by the Alliance. “The contract will expand the European production of the missiles, enhancing supply and ensuring the replenishment of Allied stockpiles,” a NATO statement said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hailed the decision to purchase additional missiles. “I welcome Allies’ timely announcement to invest in up to 1,000 new Patriot air defense missiles to bolster the Alliance’s security,” he said in a statement.

“This investment shows the strength of transatlantic defense cooperation and NATO’s commitment to keeping our people safe. Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, cities, and towns show how important modern air defenses are. Scaling-up ammunition production is key for Ukraine’s security and ours,” Stoltenberg added.

The order for 1000 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles has been placed to COMLOG, a joint venture between European defense manufacturer MDBA and the U.S.-based defense giant RTX, formerly known as Raytheon Technologies. The COMLOG production facility Schrobenhausen, Germany, would handle the production, however, the timeline for the deliveries of the missiles has not been made public yet.

“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,” Thomas Gottschild, managing director at MBDA, said in a press release.

*^{Patriot air and missile defense system on display at Allied Air Command. (Image Credit: NATO AIRCOM)}*

Gottschild also noted that the COMLOG facility in Europe is the only facility capable of producing Patriot missiles beyond the borders of the United States. A NATO statement previously indicated that COMLOG is set to enhance the production capacity of tactical Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles, known as GEM-T, within Europe.

European nations are increasing their focus on enhancing the region’s air defense systems, especially after the intensification of aerial attacks carried out by Russian forces against two of Ukraine’s largest cities since the new year.

On January 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow launched 500 missiles and drone strikes against the embattled country over five days. Ukraine had not seen strikes of this magnitude since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The recent escalation has become a major source of concern for several European nations.

In December last year, Romania conducted a successful live-fire test of its Patriot air defense system, marking a significant achievement in enhancing regional security and strengthening NATO’s southeastern flank.

The Romanian Army's 74th Patriot Regiment conducted the country's first PATRIOT missile system live-fire exercise — ^{The Romanian Army’s 74th Patriot Regiment conducted the country’s first PATRIOT missile system live-fire exercise at the Capu Midia test firing range in Romania on November 15-16, 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Army Security Assistance Command)}

During the exercise, the Romanian Patriot regiment personnel practiced operating the system at several launching stations, the radar, the engagement consultation, the electric power plant, and the antenna mask group.

Around the same time, the Romanian Defense Ministry reportedly submitted a request to Parliament to buy 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for its own Patriot launchers. It remains unclear if this purchase is related to the combined multibillion order.