US Defense Department Accelerates Patriot Manufacturing

The US Department of Defense has signed framework agreements with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to expand production capacity for key components used in the Patriot PAC-3 and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense systems.

The Pentagon is accelerating missile production after conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine significantly depleted US weapons stockpiles. Ukraine has long faced a shortage of Patriot systems, the only air defense systems in its arsenal capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

According to the department of defense, the agreements will support a threefold increase in production capacity for Patriot PAC-3 components and a fourfold increase for THAAD components. The department did not disclose the value of the agreements.

The agreements include establishing a second production source for Patriot PAC-3 solid rocket motors and increasing production of ignition safety devices.

The announcement follows last week's Pentagon contract awarding Lockheed Martin up to $58.6bn to manufacture Patriot missiles as part of a broader effort to replenish US missile stockpiles.

(Reuters, bak)