US, Germany in talks to co-produce AMRAAM missiles in Europe

The United States is in talks with Germany and several other European countries on establishing joint production of Raytheon's AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and a European maintenance facility for Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Patriot missiles, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

According to the source, the participating countries are expected to sign a statement of intent at a NATO Industry Forum being held on the sidelines of the alliance's summit in Ankara later on July 7.

If implemented, the projects would expand Europe's role in the production and maintenance of key US-made weapons systems while easing pressure on manufacturing facilities operated by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in the United States, allowing the companies to increase domestic output.

The proposed cooperation comes as demand remains high for both PAC-3 interceptors used by Patriot air defense systems and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles, which are fired by NASAMS air defense systems and F-16 fighter aircraft. Both weapons have been extensively used by Ukraine in defending against Russian attacks since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

The initiative also reflects Washington's broader push for greater European participation in defence production.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to increase defence spending, purchase more American-made military equipment, and assume a larger share of responsibility for the alliance's security. He has also, at times, threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO.

In mid-June, Trump invoked the Defence Production Act to address bottlenecks affecting US weapons manufacturing, munitions production, and defence supply chains.

The move followed growing concerns in Washington over the ability of US defence manufacturers to keep pace with rising demand, as military support for Ukraine and the conflict involving Iran have placed increasing pressure on US weapons stockpiles.

Trump has also encouraged expanded co-production of American weapons with European allies as part of efforts to strengthen defense industrial capacity on both sides of the Atlantic.

By Vafa Guliyeva