NATO partners send Patriot GEM-T missiles to Germany
The NSPA enables multi-national defence procurement, increasing buying power on bulk order items like the GEM-T Patriot missile. (Photo: Raytheon)
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency will allow other nations to replenish German stock donated to Ukraine.
Germany will have its stockpile of Patriot GEM-T missiles replenished through funds raised by its NATO allies. The move, which will give Raytheon, the company that makes the missiles, a US$478 million payday, will be co-ordinated by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
The Agency allows for multi-national defence procurement funding across NATO partners. In this case, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have agreed to foot the bill to re-arm Germany, after Germany’s donation of Patriot missiles to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion of the country.
By funding the Raytheon missile procurement, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are showing their military support of Ukraine through a convenient procurement arrangement within NATO. President Putin of Russia is on record as blaming NATO encroachment for moves like the Ukraine invasion, and the NSPA funding is a way of sending military aid to Ukraine without depleting overall NATO defence resources.
The GEM-T, the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 missile interceptor, is a key part of the air defence of 19 countries, including eight in Europe. It acts as an interceptor for use against tactical ballistic missiles.
Tom Laliberty, president of land and air defence systems at Raytheon, said that countries like Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, were “realising the benefits of bundled, multi-national procurement of Patriot missiles through NSPA, including the economies that offer greater affordability and the pre-negotiated contracting framework that shortens the acquisition timeline”.
Laliberty added: “As a result, not only can we better support the missile inventories for these European partners, we can also strengthen our cooperation, their interoperability and their contribution to an essential NATO mission.”
What makes the NSPA work in collaborations like the German missile restocking is the economies of scale achievable by mass multi-national orders, which would be beyond the reach of individual NATO partners at any given time.
Stacy A. Cummings, general manager at the NSPA, said the Raytheon missile procurement was an example of “multinational acquisition, support and sustainment, delivering effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations, while reinforcing European industrial capacities”.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Next-generation gun set to boost US Army combat vehicle capabilities]()
Next-generation gun set to boost US Army combat vehicle capabilities
The 50mm main weapon on the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle currently being competed for by industry will offer a step-change in firepower and targeting over the in-service M2 Bradley.
-
![The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026]()
The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026
2025 was a busy year for the land domain and 2026 looks set to be just as big. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill analyses some of the major trends we are likely to see in the year ahead.
-
![Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year]()
Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year
December saw several milestones on the howitzer front with billions of dollars worth of orders placed and Germany committing to more 6×6 and 4×4 vehicles. Taiwan was also approved for equipment orders worth $11 billion even as the year came to an end with China encircling the country as part of an exercise.
-
![Supply of new self-propelled guns is rising to meet looming demand]()
Supply of new self-propelled guns is rising to meet looming demand
As the need for self-propelled artillery continues to climb across Europe and NATO-allied nations, orders for existing capabilities continue to roll in while new and improved weapons are on the way.
-
![US Army seeks industry support to prepare acquisitions of Group 4+ UAVs]()
US Army seeks industry support to prepare acquisitions of Group 4+ UAVs
The US Army is keen to hear about vendor designs, strategies and potential hardware and software solutions to inform requirements for procurement efforts.
