US to increase production of Patriot missiles by 30%

16 November, 2024 PAC-3, PAC-3 MSE and THAAD missiles.

2015. Photo: flickr.com Lockheed Martin will increase production of PAC-3 MSE missiles by 30 percent under a new contract with the US Army.

The company announced that it had signed a £752 million contract to increase its missile production capacity. The production of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles is to increase from 500 to 650 units per year by mid-2027. This production increase is part of a broader effort to meet the growing global demand for the Patriot missiles.

Lockheed Martin has previously invested its own funds in expanding the production capacity in an effort to meet this goal ahead of schedule.

PAC-3, PAC-3 MSE and THAAD missiles.

2015. Photo credits: flickr.com

According to Lockheed Martin, the production of the PAC-3 MSE will increase by more than 30% in 2024, with an additional 20% growth expected in 2025. If these forecasts are implemented, the production rate could reach 600 missiles per year by the end of 2025, exceeding the first contractual milestone of 550 units by mid-2025.

Lockheed Martin said it was on track to surpass its projected production capacity within a few years. The company currently produces about 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles per year and is contractually obligated to increase this number to 550 annually by mid-2025, with further expansion to 650 by mid-2027. In June 2024, the US Army signed a £4.5 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles and related equipment.

Launcher of the Patriot PAC-3 system with MSE missiles.

Photo credits: U.S.

Department of Defense

Additionally, the American company Boeing is increasing the production of homing missile warheads for missiles used in the Patriot system.

The missiles are capable of engaging a target at a certain range and flying autonomously without the use of Patriot auxiliary equipment.