The production will be undertaken by a consortium of the European manufacturer MBDA and the American company Raytheon, at the COMLOG facility in Southern Germany. This site, already used for maintaining PATRIOT missiles, will now also host a new production line.
This collaborative effort not only offers economic benefits to the countries involved but also simplifies self-supply due to reduced logistics. Additionally, it helps maintain the overall inventory of PATRIOT missiles.
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren commented, “This new production line demonstrates that international defense cooperation leads to concrete successes. In light of the war in Ukraine and increasing global threats and conflicts, it’s crucial to explore ways with our European partners and the industry to scale up production capacity.”
PATRIOT air defense systems are capable of intercepting aircraft, helicopters, fast ballistic, and cruise missiles. These systems are currently being used in Ukraine and were also operated by a Dutch PATRIOT unit in Slovakia last year to protect NATO’s eastern flank.
In 2022, the Netherlands announced a rapid procurement of ammunition worth over EUR 2 billion, including PATRIOT missiles. Replenishing munitions is essential for fulfilling the primary task of the Dutch Armed Forces, which is to ensure self and allied defense, the Dutch Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
