Recently, the United States Army (US Army) awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to increase the production of new Patriot PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability) anti-aircraft missiles. The goal is to achieve an annual production of 650 missiles, making it one of the most advanced and in-demand missiles worldwide.
This was also confirmed by Brian Kubik, Vice President of PAC-3 Programs at Lockheed Martin: “Demand for the combat-proven deterrent capabilities of the PAC-3 MSE continues to grow at a rapid pace. To meet the increased demand, Lockheed Martin initiated this effort over a year ago with internal funding to expand PAC-3 MSE production capacity, both in our factories and throughout the supply chain.”
This is undoubtedly a key decision by the United States, considering that the PAC-3 program has ramped up production and reached new historical highs over the past eight months. Throughout 2024, the production of these missiles increased by more than 30%, and by the end of this year, the company will have surpassed 500 PAC-3 MSE units, setting a new production record.
The statistics surrounding this program are based on simple reasons: proven combat effectiveness, cost reduction, improved altitude and range performance, among others. The PAC-3 has positioned itself as a critical component for armed forces worldwide, as it can also be integrated into various weapon systems such as THAAD or IBCS.
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