NATO orders nearly $700 million in Stinger missiles to boost defence

NATO placed an order for Stinger anti-aircraft missiles worth almost $700 million, announced Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on July 9.

The contract was signed by the NATO Procurement Agency (NSPA) during the NATO summit in Washington, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The last contract for Stinger missiles, produced by RTX’s Raytheon division, was awarded in May 2022 for $625 million to replenish U.S. Army stocks sent to Ukraine. These shoulder-fired missiles have been in high demand in Ukraine for countering Russian air assaults and in neighbouring European countries preparing for potential threats.

The new NATO order will keep the Stinger production line active through 2029, according to an RTX spokesman.

Stoltenberg lauded the move as an example of NATO’s renewed commitment to collective security by supporting defence manufacturers.

“There is no way to provide strong defence without a strong defence industry,” Stoltenberg said.

After 10 years as head of the Euro-Atlantic military bloc, Stoltenberg is expected to be succeeded by former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in October.