Sweden partners with NATO nations to secure up to 1,000 advanced Patriot GEM-T missiles

Sweden has formally joined a significant initiative to procure Patriot GEM-T missiles, signing an agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). 

This agreement highlights the increasing emphasis on regional collaboration to enhance air defence capabilities across Europe, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Sweden intends to allocate 5 billion kronor ($450 million) for this purpose.

As part of a broader effort, Sweden joins Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain in a collective project aimed at acquiring up to 1,000 GEM-T missiles. This joint purchase is intended to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the participating nations.

This initiative underscores NATO's collective strategy to improve interoperability and promote a more equitable distribution of critical defence resources among its members and partners. The acquisition of GEM-T missiles will not only modernize the arsenals of these nations but also reinforce their commitment to mutual defence and joint action in response to security threats across Europe.

The Patriot GEM-T (Guided Enhanced Missile – Tactical) is one of NATO’s most advanced air and missile defence systems, developed by Raytheon Missiles & Defense. As a key advancement in the Patriot system’s evolution, the GEM-T missile is designed to counter a wide range of threats, including tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles, and various aerial targets like aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It offers significant improvements over previous models, with enhanced targeting, range, and accuracy, supported by advanced propulsion and sensor technologies.

Measuring approximately 5.31 meters in length with a diameter of 410 mm, the GEM-T missile is designed to work seamlessly with standard Patriot system launchers. Weighing around 900 kg, it incorporates a warhead and a state-of-the-art propulsion system.

The missile is powered by a two-stage solid-fuel motor, providing the necessary speed and manoeuvrability to track and intercept sophisticated targets. Its effective operational range is 15 to 70 kilometres for airborne threats and up to 20 kilometres for ballistic missiles, depending on the altitude of interception.

A key feature of the GEM-T is its advanced semi-active radar seeker, which collaborates with the AN/MPQ-65 radar system of the Patriot complex. This integration enables the missile to lock onto and destroy fast-moving targets in real-time, even in complex or electronically jamming environments.

The GEM-T is equipped with an upgraded fragmenting warhead that features an optimized blast pattern, maximizing the destruction of targets. Its precision is ensured by advanced guidance systems that allow for fine-tuning its trajectory, reducing the likelihood of failure to hit the intended target.

Sweden initially acquired the Patriot air defence system, referred to domestically as “Luftvärnssystem 103” (LvS103), with the first deliveries occurring in 2021. The acquisition process was carried out in two phases.

The first phase included the delivery of core system components, such as radars, launchers, and both PAC-3 and GEM-T missiles. The second phase focused on additional deliveries and infrastructure development to integrate the system. The primary objective of the Patriot system is to defend strategic assets against both ballistic and aerial threats, and it has been operational since late 2021.

The Patriot systems are stationed around the air defence regiment’s base in Halmstad, which serves as a critical hub for training and maintenance. The system has an operational range of up to 160 kilometres, depending on the missile type and topography of the area. Although the specific coverage area is not publicly disclosed, the deployment is designed to protect a substantial portion of southern Sweden, including important transportation and industrial centres.

By Tamilla Hasanova