Spain will allocate €1.4bn to upgrade three Patriot batteries and buy a fourth with PAC-3 MSE missiles

Spain intends to upgrade its existing Patriot surface-to-air missile launchers. Madrid also wants to buy another Patriot battery in addition to those in service.

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The Spanish army has three Patriot batteries in service, bought from Germany in 2004 and 2015. Each contains six launchers in the M901 configuration and can launch four PAC-2+ missiles. As part of the upgrade, Spain wants an M902 configuration with the capability to launch up to 16 PAC-3 missiles.

The Spanish authorities will allocate €1.4 billion to upgrade 18 launchers and purchase a fourth Patriot battery. The air defence system is likely to cost €1bn, meaning that only €400m will be left over for modernisation.

The Spanish Ministry of Defence says the team is finalising the paperwork. The contract will be finalised during 2023. The first upgraded Patriot launchers will enter service in 2024.

Source: Infodefense