WASHINGTON, Might 27 (Reuters) – The U.S. Military mentioned on Friday it has awarded a contract value $625 million to Raytheon Applied sciences Corp (RTX.N) for anti-aircraft Stinger missiles to be able to replenish shares despatched to Ukraine.
The shoulder-fired anti-aircraft Stinger missiles made by Raytheon have been in sizzling demand in Ukraine, the place they’ve efficiently stopped Russian assaults from the air, and in neighboring European nations which concern they could additionally have to beat again Russian forces.
U.S. troops have restricted use for the present provide of Stingers – a light-weight, self-contained weapon that may be deployed shortly to defend towards helicopters, airplanes, drones and even cruise missiles – however the USA wants to take care of its provide readily available whereas it develops the subsequent technology of a “man-portable air protection system.” learn extra
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Since February, the USA has shipped about 1,400 Stingers to Ukraine. U.S. allies additionally wish to restock the weapons they shipped to Ukraine in current months.
The contract for as much as 1,468 Stingers was awarded on Wednesday, in keeping with a doc reviewed by Reuters, and was value as much as $687 million with choices added in. There was no timeline for completion of the work, but it surely was estimated supply may take as much as 30 months.
The president of Raytheon Missiles & Protection, Wes Kremer, mentioned the order will assist “fulfill our present overseas navy sale order, whereas replenishing Stingers offered to Ukraine and accelerating manufacturing.”
Individually, the Pentagon is trying to find Stinger missiles which might be already in stock, however should be refurbished, in keeping with the doc.
On Might 6 the Pentagon’s chief weapons purchaser, Invoice LaPlante, mentioned he had aimed to signal a contract by the top of Might and that the intent was to exchange the Stinger missiles despatched to Ukraine one-for-one.
The Pentagon and Raytheon didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The Stinger manufacturing line was closed in December 2020, the Pentagon has mentioned. In July 2021, Raytheon received a contract to fabricate extra Stingers, however primarily for worldwide governments, in keeping with the U.S. Military. learn extra
Raytheon Chief Govt Greg Hayes instructed analysts throughout an April 26 convention name that the U.S. Division of Protection has not bought a Stinger in 18 years.
“A few of the elements are not commercially accessible, and so we’ll should exit and redesign among the electronics within the missile of the seeker head. That is going to take us a bit of little bit of time.”
The only Stinger facility, in Arizona, solely produces at a low price.
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Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Enhancing by Jonathan Oatis and Matthew Lewis
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