Spain intends to upgrade the Patriot anti-aircraft missile launchers in service. Madrid also wants to purchase another Patriot battery in addition to those in service.

What is known

The Spanish army has three Patriot batteries purchased from Germany in 2004 and 2015. Each of them contains six launchers in the M901 configuration and can launch four PAC-2+ missiles. During the upgrade, Spain wants to get the M902 configuration with the ability 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 cost of the air defense system is likely to be €1 billion, which means that only €400 million will be left for modernization.

The Spanish Ministry of Defense says the team is finalizing the documentation. The contract will be issued during 2023. The first upgraded Patriot launchers will enter service in 2024.

A source: Infodefense