Lockheed Martin and German manufacturer Diehl Defense have signed an agreement to explore „collaboration opportunities” aimed at expanding the global supply chain for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor.
Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the annual AUSA exposition, is intended to build greater supply chain resilience for the in-demand weapon system, which is used to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as neutralize hypersonic threats.
Need for Multiple Sources
According to Torsten Cook, senior vice president for ground-based air defense at Diehl, it is „essential” to have a „dual source, maybe a third source … supply chain management capability in order to ramp up quickly … to bring more material in the market or in Europe supporting Ukrainian civilians for the fight against the Russians.” He told Breaking Defense that the MoU with Lockheed Martin is a „first step” towards achieving that goal and emphasized that sourcing „European components” for PAC-3 MSE will be prioritized.
Potential German Investment
Cook also mentioned that Lockheed could „participate” in a „local footprint in Germany” by investing in the supply of thermal batteries. Diehl subsidiary Eagle Pitcher supplies thermal batteries for PAC-3 and other weapon systems like Stinger, IRIS-T, and the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), according to company literature.
Global Partnership
The US and Germany are among the 17 partner nations that have selected the interceptor, according to a Lockheed Martin statement.
$9.8 Billion Contract
Breaking Defense previously reported that Lockheed Martin secured a $9.8 billion contract in September for the production of nearly 2,000 PAC-3 MSE interceptors and supporting hardware.
Boeing Awarded $2.7 Billion in Contracts
In related news, Boeing announced it has been awarded multiyear contracts valued at an estimated $2.7 billion for additional PAC-3 seekers. The company will manufacture more than 3,000 seekers, based on a production rate of 750 units annually through 2030, according to a company statement.
Scaling Seeker Output
„Boeing is working closely with prime contractor Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army to further increase production rates and meet new targets for the PAC‑3 interceptor,” the manufacturer stated. „Scaling seeker output is critical to ensuring the Patriot system can continue to defend service members, civilians and critical infrastructure worldwide as threats proliferate.”
