A coalition of European states including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Romania has ordered up to 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles in response to renewed Russian airstrikes against major Ukrainian cities. The $5.5 billion production and delivery contract for the weapons was awarded to COMLOG, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and the American company RTX.
If all options are exercised, the four nations will collectively procure up to 1,000 Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles. The agreement will enable MBDA to set up a production facility for Patriot missiles in Germany.
COMLOG, the German-American joint venture, has operated for more than three decades, providing logistics support for Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles. The GEM-T variant provides the ability to destroy tactical ballistic missiles and enemy aircraft.
Amidst intensification of aerial attacks by Russian forces against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Moscow launched 500 missiles and drone strikes against the country in five days. This escalation is the most significant since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
