Several NATO countries, including Germany and Spain, have signed a contract to acquire up to 1,000 Patriot missiles, used in air defense, NATO announced Wednesday in a press release. This contract, valued at about $5.5 billion, comes at a time when Ukraine is facing intense bombing of its cities and infrastructure by Russia.
It should allow increased production in Europe of these missiles used to counter air attacks or ballistic missiles, according to a statement from the NSPA, the NATO agency in charge of procurement and support for the armed forces.
A production center in Germany
The United States and Germany have already sent Patriot missiles to Ukraine to help it counter Russian attacks on its cities or infrastructure. These deliveries partially emptied stocks and the United States was forced to ask other countries, including Japan, to help them replenish them.
The NATO agency specified that this contract provided for the launch of a production center for these missiles in Germany by a joint venture between the German company MBDA and the American group Raytheon.
The Patriot missiles have an estimated cost of about $4 million each, but the contract also covers the supply of spare parts and maintenance.
Source: BFM TV
