Spain is close to significantly increasing its industrial contribution to the program of American Patriot missiles, thanks to an initial agreement between Defense and the American corporation Raytheon to increase the production of components of these missiles in the region.
"Raytheon signed an industrial cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Defense of Spain at Feindef for the Patriot missiles and their anti-aircraft defense systems that will strengthen Spanish industrial participation," the American armament company that has a wide catalog of military products conveys to EL MUNDO. The Ministry did not respond by the time of this edition's closure.
The agreement adds to the one announced with Lockheed Martin, the other company linked to the Patriot program and which was publicized by the Government during the defense fair held last May in Madrid.
Conversations with Spanish companies have already begun, as indicated by several sector sources and confirmed by Raytheon itself, which also expresses its willingness to participate in other Defense programs with Spanish partners amid the increasing defense spending in the sector in Europe. "Additional projects are being discussed with the Ministry of Defense and Spanish industrial partners," they point out.
The Patriot missiles and their batteries are a key element in anti-aircraft defense due to their ability to shoot down targets at 100 kilometers. Precisely, this is also one of the key defense elements in which NATO allies committed to strengthening during the June meeting. Spain permanently deploys one of these batteries to defend the alliance's perimeter in Turkey and donated.
Spain has been proactive in acquiring these capabilities. In early 2024, it participated in a joint purchase by four countries of 1,000 Patriot PAC2 missiles from Raytheon and the European MBDA for 5 billion euros, and at the end of the year, it did the same with an order to Lockheed Martin (LM) to acquire more missiles and upgrade its capabilities to Patriot PAC3 in two projects that already have a local component.
In the case of the latter, LM acknowledges that it is working on "industrial participation plans and purchase orders together with Sener and Grupo Oesia for their respective scopes within the program." "They will be formalized once negotiations with each company are concluded and after LM receives the contract from the US Government for the Spanish scope." Currently, it is planned that Oesia manufactures highly specialized electronic cables and harnesses, while Sener will design, develop, and certify actuators for the PAC3-MSE in Spain for clients worldwide.
Indeed, Sener also designs and produces the electromechanical control of the 1,000 missiles purchased from Raytheon in 2024, positioning itself as a favorite to take on more workload, although the company prefers not to comment on any agreement that has not been finalized.
Now, it remains to be seen who will join them and whether this will be followed by new purchases of both missiles and batteries, a necessary element in European rearmament that would have a dual purpose: pleasing Trump after the trade agreement by buying from American companies, but ensuring that manufacturing generates jobs, knowledge, and benefits domestically. "As global demand for the PAC-3 MSE missile continues to grow, Spanish companies will be well positioned to compete for new business and leverage advanced technology, as well as the expertise they have developed through this program," state from Lockheed Martin, pointing out that this way the company contributes to the development of sovereign defense industries in the regions where they operate.
The Defense company with the highest market value
RTX is the defense company with the highest market capitalization in the world. Arising from the merger of Raytheon and United Technologies, it specializes in missile electronics, such as the Javelin, and other defense systems, including anti-aircraft defense systems beyond the Patriot like the Nasams, which is also used by the Spanish Army. Additionally, it has a significant avionics business linked, among others, to the F35, whose purchase by Spain has been rumored for months. In parallel, within the group's structure is Pratt & Whitney, the aviation engine manufacturer. This year, it has precisely signed an agreement with ITP Aero to increase their collaboration, a pact that will create 200 jobs.