NSPA supports a coalition of NATO nations with contract for Patriot missiles
Luxembourg, 3 January 2024 – The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will support a coalition of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, with a contract for a combined quantity of up to 1,000 Patriot™ Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T), if all options are exercised. The contract includes qualification of updated components, addition of new suppliers, test equipment, and spares to support future sustainment. Other user nations are expected to benefit from the conditions of the contract. The Agency awarded a production and delivery contract to COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon, an RTX business (NYSE: RTX), and MBDA. To support production and delivery, COMLOG will expand the production capacity of GEM-T missiles in Europe.
GEM-T is a primary effector for the combat-proven Patriot™ air defence system, relied upon by eight European nations, for defence against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and enemy aircraft threats.
Through this contract, NSPA enables Patriot user nations to take advantage of significant benefits. The consolidated multinational procurement, in the spirit of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), offers economies of scale and supports the expansion of production capacity for new GEM-T missiles to meet increasing demand. The new production capacity for GEM-T missiles in Europe enhances security of supply and will contribute to the replenishment of Patriot missile stockpile inventories. The initiative demonstrates the strong cooperation among Patriot allies in alignment with the ESSI.
This contract demonstrates that NSPA, as a primary enabler of the Alliance, can successfully deliver effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities. Through close Euro-Atlantic cooperation between allies and industry, NSPA has enabled the consolidation of requirements through the award of this complex contract. Customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced their logistics footprint, and are obtaining capable solutions and support under a proven turnkey legal framework. Ms Stacy A. Cummings, NSPA General Manager
Thomas Gottschild, Managing Director MBDA Germany: “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. The COMLOG facility is currently the only one of its kind for the Patriot missile outside the US. Overall, the contract supports European Patriot user states, creates workplaces in Germany, and strengthens the supply chain for ammunition.”
Thomas Laliberty, Raytheon, President Land & Air Defense Systems: “Raytheon and MBDA have partnered with NSPA, the United States Army and a broad network of suppliers across the region to offer our European partners a GEM-T program which increases NATO’s air defence missile inventory, strengthens NATO deterrence, and sustains the operational readiness of Patriot air defence systems across Europe. This bundled procurement strengthens cooperation among European Patriot allies.”
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is NATO’s lead organisation for multinational acquisition, support and sustainment in all domains. Based in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with main operational centres in France, Hungary and Italy, the Agency employs over 1,500 staff and oversees more than 500 contractors in support of NATO’s missions and exercises.
COMLOG GmbH is a 50/50 percent joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, founded in 1987. COMLOG’s primary field of activity is the logistic support of Patriot PAC-2 missiles with the aim of maintaining operational capability. Since its founding, the company has performed maintenance for more than 5,000 PAC-2 missiles at the Patriot Missile Facility 3 (PMF-3), located in Schrobenhausen, Germany, COMLOG’s main customer is the NSPA, which operates on behalf of the European Patriot user countries and the US Army.
Story by NATO Support and Procurement Agency
Photo courtesy NSPA
