US signs deal to boost output of parts for Patriot, THAAD interceptor systems
LMT•Patriot and THAAD output to rise
Ukraine has run chronically low on supplies of Patriots, which remain the only weapon in its arsenal capable of downing ballistic missiles.
In its statement on Monday, the department said the framework deal would allow production of Patriots to triple and THAAD systems to quadruple.
It did not give a value for the deal, which it said would establish a second source for PAC-3 solid rocket motors and ramp up output of ignition safety devices.
Follows recent Army contract for Patriot interceptors
It follows a deal last week when the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth up to $58.6 billion to produce Patriot interceptor missiles.
Defense Department signs framework deal with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman
The U.S. Defense Department has signed a framework deal with Lockheed Martin LMT.N and Northrop Grumman NOC.N to expand the production capacity of components for the Patriot PAC-3 and THAAD missile interceptor systems, it said on Monday.
Pentagon negotiators have pressed contractors to move much faster with tentative production agreements struck earlier this year to increase missile output as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons stockpiles.
