An agreement involving the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden has been signed to investigate the development of a dedicated Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile maintenance facility in Europe.
The deal was formalised during the Nato Summit Defense Industry Forum, a component of the 2026 Nato Summit in Ankara.
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The facility, once established, is expected to provide maintenance and sustainment for PAC-3 missiles within the region. It aims to increase Nato’s air and missile defence readiness by ensuring missiles can be serviced locally, thus enhancing availability and responsiveness to emerging threats.
The planned centre would serve Nato member states operating both PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) and PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) interceptors.
Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the PAC-3 missile, will contribute its expertise in production, sustainment, engineering, and supply chain management to the establishment of the facility.
The company stated that its involvement would support the nations relying on PAC-3 technology.
Lockheed Martin International president Jay Pitman said: “Industrial cooperation strengthens the transatlantic defence industrial base and contributes to economic progress and shared security. For more than 75 years, Lockheed Martin has demonstrated our commitment to being a strategic partner for the defence and security of Europe.
“Today, we are accelerating our work with Nato allies and industry partners to expand integrated air and missile defence capacity, strengthen regional sustainment networks and support the rising global demand for these capabilities.”
The PAC-3 missile, according to Lockheed Martin, is a mobile interceptor designed for high-velocity engagement. It is used for intercepting threats such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft under various weather conditions, employing hit-to-kill technology.
The missile family incorporates solid propellant rocket motors, aerodynamic controls, and inertial navigation systems.
Lockheed Martin reports increasing international demand for PAC-3 systems, pointing to previous agreements with the US government to boost production.
In January, a framework agreement was agreed with the US Department of War to triple production capacity of the PAC-3 MSE.
The company also secured a $4.7bn contract in April this year to further accelerate PAC-3 MSE production.
Separately, Lockheed Martin signed a memorandum of understanding with Rheinmetall during the Nato Summit Defense Industry Forum, to move forward with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) co-production in Europe.
Under the agreement, supported by the US and German governments, the two parties plan to establish a joint venture to create Europe’s first centre of excellence dedicated to the manufacturing, integration and distribution of ATACMS for Nato and European allied forces.
The company will continue its current production of ATACMS at its Camden, Arkansas site during the transition.
