Poland, US and three allies sign deal for European Patriot missile servicing center at NATO summit
The agreement, inked at the NATO Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, aims to boost capacity and speed up production and maintenance of PAC-3 interceptors. It is one of several defense pacts unveiled as the alliance pushes to replenish missile stocks.
A European hub for Patriot missiles
On the first day of the NATO summit in Ankara, five nations signed a letter of intent with Lockheed Martin to create a European servicing center for PAC-3 missiles used in Patriot air defense systems. The signatories are the United States, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced the agreement on social media.
We signed an agreement with the US, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden to establish a servicing center for PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems in Europe. This will significantly increase capacity and accelerate production and servicing of missiles.
The document was inked during the NATO Defence Industry Forum, a gathering focused on transatlantic defense production and innovation held alongside the main summit.
Washington opens the door to production abroad
The move comes as the United States signals a willingness to shift some missile production outside its borders. US Deputy Secretary of Defense Michael Duffy told the forum that the possibility of manufacturing PAC-3 missiles abroad is firmly on the table.
We are definitely leaving open the possibility of production outside the US.
Kosiniak-Kamysz had already hinted at Poland's ambitions in May, saying during a visit to Canada that "doors are opening for the possibility of moving production of, for example, PAC-3 missiles for Patriots or rocket missiles for HIMARS." He added that Poland is "one of the most seriously considered directions."
A flurry of defense pacts
The Patriot servicing center is one of several initiatives unveiled at the forum. Germany and the Netherlands, together with the US and NATO, launched a plan to begin European production of the Stinger short-range anti-aircraft missile, made by RTX. Seven countries, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway, signed a letter of intent to explore expanding production of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles in Europe. A separate project involving Lockheed Martin and Germany's Rheinmetall aims to bring ATACMS missile system work to Europe, though that announcement was described as more of a photo opportunity than a binding deal.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had previewed the announcements a day earlier, telling reporters that allies would unveil new contracts worth tens of billions of dollars.
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says allies will announce new defense contracts worth tens of billions of dollars.
- NATO Defence Industry Forum begins in Ankara; US, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden sign letter of intent for European PAC-3 servicing center.
- Germany and Netherlands launch Stinger production initiative; seven countries sign AMRAAM production expansion study.
- NATO summit continues with leaders of 32 member states and partners.
Poland's push for a defense manufacturing role
The Polish government has framed the agreement as a rebuttal to critics who claim the country is losing defense capabilities. Kosiniak-Kamysz said the deal proves them wrong and stressed that Poland's goal is not only to buy modern weapons but also to produce and service them in Europe with Polish participation. The broader context is a NATO-wide effort to replenish missile stocks depleted by the war in Ukraine and the US conflict with Iran, while also responding to pressure from President Donald Trump for European allies to shoulder more of the defense burden.
