Europe plans to launch production of Patriot complexes – Reuters

MBDA plans to begin production of Patriot missiles in late 2026.

European missile manufacturer MBDA has said it is ready to start producing Patriot launchers in Germany to reduce its arms dependence on the United States . As the managing director of the German division of MBDA, Thomas Gottschild, told Reuters , the company is also ready to increase production capacity for the production of Patriot air defense missiles at a new plant in Germany if the volume of orders exceeds “a certain threshold.”

Rocket factory

In 2024, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain signed a €5.1 billion contract to purchase up to 1,000 missiles from a joint venture between Raytheon and MBDA.

The missiles will be produced at a new factory in Bavaria in southern Germany, doubling the world’s production capacity for the PAC 2 missiles, which have been upgraded to intercept tactical ballistic missiles.

“We are on schedule. We plan to start production at the end of 2026 to ensure first deliveries at the beginning of 2027,” said the managing director of MBDA Deutschland.

He did not disclose the plant’s production capacity, citing security considerations, but said the plant would be able to handle additional orders.

“If orders exceed a certain threshold, we are also ready to invest in additional production capacity,” he said.

Production of launchers

Gottschild noted that MBDA has the technical expertise to produce Patriot, as it previously serviced launchers.

“We can do it. It’s just a matter of industrial cooperation between us and Raytheon – and the wishes of our customer, the Bundeswehr, or other customers who order the production of launchers,” he said.

Long-range missile

He also noted that MBDA will participate in the development of a missile with a range of more than 2,000 km. This project was announced by the UK and Germany in May, but the timing of the start of development is still unknown.

“Regardless of the timeline, it is important that we start as soon as possible to get more concrete results,” he said.

MBDA is also promoting the development of more compact missiles to shoot down low-flying and slow drones.

“We hope to sign a contract with the German government to develop the DefendAir missile by the end of the year,” Gottschild said, adding that the first deliveries are expected in a few years.

(C)UNIAN 2025