Officials from the United States and Spain formalized an agreement for Spain to purchase Lockheed Martin’s Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles and related support equipment. With this agreement, Spain becomes PAC-3’s 16th partner nation. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.8 billion. PAC-3 MSE features advanced capabilities to defend against incoming threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles,hypersonics and aircraft. By adding PAC-3 MSE to its arsenal, Spain will improve its air and missile defense capabilities against evolving threats. Lockheed Martin has been a trusted partner to the government of Spain and the Spanish defense industry for more than two decades.
“At Lockheed Martin, we’re devoted to helping our customers stay ahead of new, highly contested threats. As the world’s most advanced air defense missile, PAC-3 will enhance Spain’s national defense capabilities and enhance their effectiveness in the 21st Century Security® battlespace,” said Brian Kubik, vice president of PAC-3 Programs, Lockheed Martin.
The Government of Spain has requested to buy four (4) PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units consisting of: fifty-one (51) PATRIOT Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles (includes one (1) Fly-to-Buy missile); twenty-four (24) PATRIOT M903 launch stations; four (4) AN/MPQ-65 radar sets; four (4) AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations; two (2) Information Coordination Central (ICC); eight (8) Antenna Mast Groups; four (4) Electrical Power Plants; and four (4) Energy Power Units. Also included is communications equipment; test equipment; services comprising Skids kits, telemetry kits, generators, publications, training equipment; Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO) and Battalion Demonstration; spare and repair parts.
The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary such system used by the United States Army and several allied states. It is manufactured by the U.S. defense contractor Raytheon and derives its name from the radar component of the weapon system. The AN/MPQ-53 at the heart of the system is known as the “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target,” which is a backronym for “Patriot”. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement upgrade (MSE) to the Patriot air defense system which will make the missile more agile and extend its range by up to 50%. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 MSE missile, a very agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the M903 Launching Station, a fire solution computer, and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System (ELES). The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor is capable of intercepting longer-range theater ballistic missiles.
