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The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a seven-year agreement with Lockheed Martin to triple production of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system, the Pentagon announced, UATV English reports.
The deal will increase output of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) from approximately 600 to 2,000 missiles per year, providing a long-term guaranteed demand to support U.S. defense needs.
Deputy Defense Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffy called the agreement a “fundamental shift in how quickly the Pentagon scales up ammunition production and works with industry partners.”
The Pentagon noted that the framework aligns the interests of Lockheed Martin, the U.S. government, and taxpayers, enabling the company to invest in expanding production while benefiting from guaranteed long-term demand.
European missile manufacturer MBDA is also planning to increase Patriot missile production at a new facility in Germany.
