Raytheon and Diehl to Build Stinger Missiles in Europe

Raytheon, an RTX business, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany’s Diehl Defence to co-produce key elements of the Stinger missile in Europe.

The agreement, announced by the companies, sets the stage for extending Stinger production at Diehl Defence facilities as part of the firm’s expansion plan.

“Stinger is the surface-to-air missile of choice for 24 countries, including Germany and nine other NATO members,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. “We are seeing historically high demand for Stinger because of its unrivaled effectiveness and success against a variety of short-range threats.”

The Stinger is a lightweight, combat-proven, self-contained air defense system designed for use by ground forces against aircraft and cruise missiles. First introduced decades ago, it has maintained its relevance through continuous upgrades. Raytheon said it has modernized the system over the life of the program with improvements to guidance and control, ensuring greater accuracy and effectiveness in combat.

For Diehl Defence, the new arrangement strengthens its role in European air defense.

“Relaunching production for Stinger missiles builds on our proven capabilities and expertise in that product range and fits seamlessly in our strong standing on the market for ground-based air defence systems,” said Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence.

The German company said it is exploring options to expand production capacity, including scaling up at existing facilities and potentially opening new locations. The move reflects growing demand for air defense systems in Europe as NATO members continue to respond to evolving security threats.

Stinger missiles have seen renewed urgency since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with several European countries accelerating procurement and replenishment of their stockpiles. While the agreement between Raytheon and Diehl does not specify immediate orders, it establishes a framework to sustain production and ensure NATO allies have access to critical short-range air defense weapons.

The partnership also underscores a wider transatlantic defense cooperation trend. By positioning production in Europe, Raytheon and Diehl aim to shorten supply chains, increase resilience, and support NATO’s long-term defense planning.

In recent years, the Stinger has gained renewed visibility as Ukrainian forces employed the system effectively against Russian aircraft and drones. The weapon’s portability and quick reaction capability have made it a staple of ground-based air defense worldwide.

Raytheon emphasized that the collaboration builds on a decades-long relationship with Diehl, which already produces a range of air defense systems widely used in Europe. The company said future co-production of Stinger components in Germany will help meet international demand while enhancing Europe’s defense industrial base.

With defense spending rising across NATO and demand for short-range air defense systems growing, both companies view the agreement as a strategic step to ensure production remains active and scalable. The Stinger, tested in multiple conflicts and fielded by more than 20 countries, remains a cornerstone of ground-based air defense at a time when threats from drones and cruise missiles are increasing.