NATO orders Patriot missiles for allies

The NSPA ordered up to 1,000 PAC-2 GEM-Ts from COMLOG on 3 January for Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain (photo of German Patriots deployed to Sliač Air Base in Slovakia in March 2022). (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has ordered up to 1,000 Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) Guidance Enhanced Missiles-Tactical (GEM-Ts) from MBDA-Raytheon joint venture COMLOG for Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain, the NSPA and COMLOG announced in a joint press release on 3 January. In addition to missiles, the USD5.6 billion contract signed the same day includes qualification of updated components, additional suppliers, test equipment, and spares to support future sustainment.

MBDA and Raytheon spokespeople told Janes on 4–5 January that initial deliveries would begin in roughly three years. Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) said on its website on 14 December 2023 that deliveries would take place between 2027 and 2033.

To support delivery, COMLOG, based in Schrobenhausen, southern Germany, will expand its GEM-T production.

The contract, the first for Raytheon and MBDA under the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), will benefit Patriot user countries through bundled procurement, producing economies of scale and supporting the expansion of GEM-T production capacity of the missiles to meet rising demand, enhance security of supply, and help replenish Patriot inventories, according to the NSPA and COMLOG.