NATO Support and Procurement Agency awards COMLOG a contract for 1000 Patriot missiles.

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon and MBDA, their first contract under the European Sky Shield Initiative, or ESSI. With a total value of up to $5.6 billion, the NSPA contract supports a coalition of nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, with a combined quantity of up to 1,000 Patriot GEM-T missiles, if all options are exercised.
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GEM-T, the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) missile interceptor enhanced for defeating tactical ballistic missiles, is a primary effector for the combat-proven Patriot air and missile defense system (Picture source: Raytheon)

The contract includes the qualification of updated components, the addition of new suppliers, test equipment, and spares to support future sustainment. To support delivery, COMLOG will expand the production capacity of GEM-T missiles in Europe.

GEM-T, the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) missile interceptor enhanced for defeating tactical ballistic missiles, is a primary effector for the combat-proven Patriot air and missile defense system. The world's battle-proven air and missile defense system, Patriot is relied upon by eight European nations, and Ukraine, for defense against cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and enemy drones and aircraft.

Through this contract, Patriot user nations will realize significant benefits. The bundled procurement, in the spirit of the ESSI, offers economies of scale and supports the expansion of production capacity for new Patriot GEM-T missiles to meet increasing demand. The new production capacity for Patriot GEM-T missiles in Europe enhances the security of supply and will contribute to the replenishment of Patriot air defense missile inventories. Finally, the initiative strengthens cooperation among NATO allies in alignment with the ESSI.

Stacy A. Cummings, General Manager NSPA: "This contract demonstrates that NSPA, as a primary enabler of the Alliance, can successfully deliver effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities. Through close Euro-Atlantic cooperation between allies and industry, NSPA has enabled the consolidation of requirements through the award of this complex contract. Customer nations have achieved economies of scale, reduced their logistics footprint, and are obtaining capable solutions and support under a proven turnkey legal framework."

Thomas Gottschild, Managing Director MBDA Deutschland: "The contract strengthens industrial and military capabilities in Europe. The order volume will enable MBDA to set up a production facility for Patriot missiles in Germany, as well as major subcomponent production. The COMLOG facility is currently the only one of its kind for the Patriot missile outside the U.S. Overall, the contract supports European Patriot user states, creates workplaces in Germany, and strengthens the supply chain for ammunition."

Thomas Laliberty, President, Raytheon Land & Air Defense Systems: "Raytheon and MBDA have partnered with NSPA, the United States Army and a broad network of suppliers across the region to offer our European partners a GEM-T program which increases NATO's air defense missile inventory, strengthens NATO deterrence, and sustains the operational readiness of Patriot air defense systems across Europe. This bundled procurement strengthens cooperation among European Patriot allies."

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is NATO's lead organization for multinational acquisition, support and sustainment in all domains. Headquartered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with main operational centers in France, Hungary and Italy, the Agency employs over 1,500 staff and oversees more than 500 contractors in support of NATO's missions and exercises.

COMLOG GmbH, is a 50/50 percent joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, founded in 1987. COMLOG's primary field of activity is the logistic support of Patriot PAC-2 missiles to maintain operational capability. Since its founding, the company has performed maintenance for more than 5,000 PAC-2 missiles at the Patriot Missile Facility 3 (PMF-3), located in Schrobenhausen, Germany. COMLOG's main customer is the NSPA, which operates on behalf of the European Patriot user countries and the U.S. Army.

Defense News January 2024