Raytheon has been awarded a $478 million contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to supply additional GEM-T missiles to Germany, according to a press release.
The contract is intended to replenish Germany’s inventory of Patriot missiles following donations made to Ukraine as part of ongoing support efforts.
The deal, which is being financed with the help of Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, reflects a coordinated European approach to strengthening missile defence capabilities. These nations have agreed to contribute to the procurement, demonstrating their collective commitment to supporting Ukraine and enhancing NATO’s defensive posture.
Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, noted the advantages of this multinational procurement effort.
“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,” he said.
Laliberty highlighted that this approach not only bolsters missile inventories for European partners but also enhances cooperation, interoperability, and contributions to NATO’s essential missions.
NSPA General Manager Stacy A. Cummings added, “This contract demonstrates once again that NSPA, as NATO’s lead organisation for multinational acquisition, support and sustainment, delivers effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities.”
She also spoke of how, through close cooperation between allies and industry, customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced logistics footprints, and secured capable solutions under a proven legal framework.
The GEM-T missile is designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles and other airborne threats. The Patriot system, relied upon by eight European nations and Ukraine, remains a cornerstone of air defence across 19 countries, providing protection against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, enemy drones, and aircraft.
And what about the UK? Is this an oversight or does the UK have a secret system that precludes the need for missile defence. I believe it’s time to get smart and do as others do.
Yes, especially if CAMM MR doesn’t eventuate…a Patriot UK edition might be a gap filler. Sensible, doable, transportable. Why not UK USA co-develop a new version of adapt the Meteor to fit?
From what little is known how does the CAMM MR stack up against GEM-T in respect of range and altitude?
Not sure meteor is the solution as its meant to be air launched, ground launched it would have significantly less range.
Not sure if there’s any range data out on the CAMM MR out yet? There may be a need to get creative like the NASAMs launcher firing AMRAAMs and AIM9Xs. Or an Iron Dome type CAMM trailer pad launcher. I believe the Patriot has even been fired from a mk41 vls. Some good “inside the [launcher] box” thinking already.
CAMM-MR does not exist.
There is no UK requirement.
CAMM-MR along with the ER version have been mentioned in enhancing the Sky Sabre’s capabilities. Both the Italian and Polish MoD’s have mentioned the use of these missiles by the UK. There have been at least another two key indicators. The first is by a Lt Colonel in the Royal Artillery (RA), who stated they would be enhancing its capabilities, stating the ER version will fit the truck’s launcher without any modifications. The second is that DE&S announced they are looking for a replacement/complimentary radar for the Sky Sabre’s Giraffe, which has a much longer range. So I guess we… Read more »
Thanks for replying…
There is a suggestion that the US Navy could replace their SM2 with the Patriot PAC3.
CAMM-MR according to MBDA’s blurb is classed as a 100km ranged weapon. They have not released anything about engagement heights. However when you consider Aster 30 has a published range of 120km and an engagement height of 20km. CAMM-MR won’t be too far off 20km. The Patriot PAC 3, has a similar published range of 120km to Aster 30, and its engagement height is 36km. Patriot having a longer engagement height is correct, as it’s a longer missile than Aster, so it can hold more propellant. Aster has the mid-body strakes which are used to generate lift, thereby aiding range.… Read more »
Good read Davey. Hope someone at MBDA is thinking the same regarding developing the Meteor as you’ve described. Do you reckon the T83 will have MK41s and Sylvers or just the former or any other VLS? Will the UK’s upgraded/later Asters be able to fire from MK41s?
According to MBDA’s blurb, Aster can be fired from the Mk41 VLS. However, as far as I know it has never done a live fire trial. I believe only a theoretical study has been carried out. The strike length Mk41 is about 70cm longer than the Sylver A70 strike length VLS. So technically the Mk41 can hold slightly longer missiles. Which may be important when propellant volume is the overriding requirement. I have a feeling the RN will go for an all Mk41 fit on the T83. It makes more economical sense, as there’s significantly more systems integrated with the… Read more »
The US has several missile defense systems. Why in the world should it expend resources to develop a British missile system to defend the UK? The defense of the UK’s homeland is the UK’s responsibility, not the US’s.
What I meant was the UK can adopt a US system then tailor it to the UK’s requirements but I’m not sure how doable that is in the real world. Yes, agree, the UK should be capable of looking after its own homeland.
Think that should be the priority of this government but it’s that puzzling word Defence again 🙄
See earlier comment we cannot afford Integrated Air and Missile Defence.
Can we afford not to have it mate 🤔 🇬🇧
Of course the UK can. Just because some BA says £25bn, get another quote or several quotes, or see what you can get for a fixed quote. Don’t just shut the “skylight” and say too hard, too expensive! Find an affordable solution. There’ll be stuff going on in the background from those in the know.
The UK has nothing like this.
A deliberate decision to lose or gap capability, taken probably 20 years ago.
The UK has no Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability.
A very limited number of Sky Sabre at a push, a couple of T45s maybe (they cannot get far inland) and Typhoon.
Defence Analysis suggests £25Bn required over 10 years to rectify, it is not in the equipment budget hence will not happen.
Europe is at least working together.
Considering rockets are the weapon of choice for some terror groups how can the UK Government believe in not protecting its people from even a primitive rocket system? Admittedly, the current rockets are range challenged but these can be fired from mobile platforms in the guise of delivery trucks driven into the country. The more serious threat might be from a major power or organisation that considers a limited strike against our vital assets. We witness endless pictures of Israel’s successful counter systems yet believe these actions to be limited to the Middle East when conceptually it could be anywhere.
It was longer than that even, Bloodhound was OOS probably 1990 ish, no successor was considered.
There was but it got cancelled. Sea Dart 2 GWS31 was a program that BAe had designed as an enhanced Sea Dart. Incorporating larger control surfaces, a new vectoring thrust solid rocket booster, new fuzing and more fuel. Along with mid-course guidance updates. It would have used the Type909M CW radar. That would allow multiple target tracking. They even looked at vertical launch. Included was a new Type1030 radar, which featured two antennas placed back to back, similar to today’s Sampson (though a traditional mechanically scanned pulse-Doppler radar not PESA or AESA). Though I don’t think the 1030 was going… Read more »
Ummm…somehow managed to lose the bubble on this matter, and it does not quite compute. Fully understand economies of scale w/ joint purchases, but unable to discern the reasoning behind the Dutch, who have their own Patriots, partially underwriting a German purchase. In a similar vein, if for no other reason than geography, shouldn’t the Norwegians logically cooperate w/ the Swedes, who have established their own capability? The Danes, contiguous to Germany and w/out own capability, merit a pass. Sorry, nonplussed. Please school a cynical American re this astonishingly altruistic act. Thanks in advance. 🤔😳
It’s all part of a deal to establish a Patriot production line in Europe. I believe it’s a joint venture with MBDA and Raytheon and contributing nations will be expecting their own companies to be awarded component contracts.
No altruism involved.
Huh. 🤔 Makes more sense than my interpretation. 👍
Germany donated stocks to UKR and the other countries are cooperating to replenish them?
Another interpretation of the vague text??
The bit that is known is the setting up of a European line for making them in volume.
That’s MBDA (Germany) only.
Looks like to me we may of been better off not bothering with Sky Sabre and just gone of the shelf with Patriot in the first place. Not taking anything away from our system we are we’re we are , so for now increase sky sabre numbers 🤔 but has we all know troop numbers are low and no point in having systems without manpower. Same old word problems not solved till more money in Defence. 😟 🇬🇧
Unfortunately 480 million only buys approx 125-150 patriot missiles it’s enough to provide some anti ballistic cover for key sites and cities but not enough to guarantee defence.
NATO nations need to go deeper with their stockpiles but this is a positive move.
Meanwhile UK has little to no GBAD. Something the strategic defence review needs to urgently address.
Couldn’t agree more 👍
Why can’t they UK just buy more Aster and the transportable Sampt/T system as an interim and share the inventory? Like the French and Italian’s must be doing and as we all know they both have Asters on their carriers too.