RTX, NATO advance major expansion of AMRAAM® production capacity
RTX’s Raytheon and NATO allies are expanding AMRAAM missile production capacity through feasibility studies and supplier qualification in Europe, funded by participating nations to meet urgent air defense demands.
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Raytheon, an RTX business, announced a joint initiative with the U.S. government and NATO allies to increase AMRAAM missile production capacity by qualifying additional European suppliers for critical components. The effort is financed by participating nations and aims to accelerate deliveries, enhance supply chain resilience, and address pressing air defense requirements for U.S. and European forces. The collaboration reflects a broader commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation and burden sharing within the alliance.
The expansion is designed to meet growing global demand for the AMRAAM missile, which remains the most advanced air-to-air system in service with over 40 nations. The initiative follows a signing ceremony held during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, attended by senior officials including U.S. Department of War Under Secretary Michael P. Duffey and international counterparts. The agreement formalizes the multinational effort to bolster production and ensure timely delivery of the missile to allied forces.
U.S. Department of War Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey emphasized the importance of expanding AMRAAM production to maintain operational advantages for the U.S. and its allies. He highlighted the missile’s role as a cornerstone of air superiority and noted that the initiative demonstrates how allied commitments translate into tangible warfighting capabilities. The collaboration is expected to strengthen the transatlantic defense industrial base and support the urgent security needs of NATO members.
Sam Deneke, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon, underscored the significance of industry-government partnerships in accelerating AMRAAM deliveries to warfighters. He stated that the initiative, supported by allied investments and U.S. policy frameworks, enables faster deployment of a proven capability relied upon by militaries worldwide. The agreement marks a step toward meeting current and future air defense challenges through expanded industrial capacity and collaborative defense production.