US signs 7-year deals with Lockheed, GD-OTS to boost THAAD & Patriot missile production

The Pentagon said on Monday that it had secured seven-year agreements with Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) to increase missile production.The agreements are aimed at boosting production quantities and accelerating delivery schedules for critical missile subcomponents supporting the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor programmes, the Pentagon said.Focus on critical missile componentsThe Pentagon said the agreements with the two defence companies were designed to strengthen the supply chain for key components used in the THAAD and PAC-3 MSE interceptor programmes.THAAD and Patriot form key parts of the United States' layered air and missile defence architecture, with the systems designed to intercept threats at different stages of flight.The Pentagon has been working to expand interceptor production and strengthen its missile defence industrial base amid growing demand and concerns over depleted stockpiles following recent conflicts.The latest seven-year agreements are intended to support higher production volumes and speed up deliveries of critical missile subcomponents.