Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to Co-Produce ATACMS Missiles in Germany
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall signed an MOU at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara to co-produce ATACMS missiles at Rheinmetall’s Unterlüß site in Germany, marking the first production of the U.S. ballistic missile outside America. Backed by U.S. and German governments, the joint venture aims to supply NATO and Ukraine, addressing European demand for 600–800 units annually. Production begins in 2027, enhancing European defense autonomy and deterrence.
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Lockheed Martin Signs MoU at NATO Summit for European ATACMS Production
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) announced on July 7, 2026, that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum. The MoU, backed by the US and German governments, aims to establish Europe's first center for manufacturing, integrating, and distributing ATACMS missiles across NATO forces. Production is planned at Rheinmetall's Unterluess site in Germany, marking the first ATACMS production facility outside the US. Rocket motor and guided missile component production is targeted to begin as early as 2027. The deal combines Lockheed's missile expertise with Rheinmetall's manufacturing strength. Lockheed will continue its existing ATACMS line in Camden, Arkansas, until the transition is complete, driven by strong global demand.
Yahoo FinanceLockheed Martin Signs MoU at NATO Summit for European ATACMS Production
On July 7, 2026, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum. The MoU, backed by the US and German governments, aims to establish Europe's first center for manufacturing, integrating, and distributing ATACMS missiles across NATO forces. Production is planned at Rheinmetall's Unterluess site in Germany, marking the first ATACMS production facility outside the US. Rocket motor and guided missile component production is targeted to begin as early as 2027. The deal combines Lockheed's missile expertise with Rheinmetall's manufacturing strength. Lockheed will continue operating its existing ATACMS line in Camden, Arkansas, until the transition is complete, driven by strong global demand.
Yahoo FinanceNATO Allies Sign Agreement to Explore European PAC-3 Missile Maintenance Facility
An agreement involving the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden was signed at the 2026 NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara to investigate establishing a dedicated Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile maintenance facility in Europe. The facility aims to service PAC-3 MSE and PAC-3 CRI interceptors locally, enhancing NATO's air and missile defense readiness and responsiveness. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, will provide expertise in production, sustainment, engineering, and supply chain management. Separately, Lockheed Martin signed an MOU with Rheinmetall to co-produce Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in Europe, supported by the US and German governments, establishing a joint venture for manufacturing and distribution to NATO and allied forces.
Army TechnologyNATO Allies Sign Agreement to Explore European PAC-3 Missile Maintenance Facility
An agreement involving the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden has been signed to investigate the development of a dedicated Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile maintenance facility in Europe. The deal was formalized during the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum, part of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara. The facility aims to provide local maintenance and sustainment for PAC-3 MSE and PAC-3 CRI interceptors, enhancing NATO's air and missile defense readiness. Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer, will contribute expertise in production, sustainment, engineering, and supply chain management. Separately, Lockheed Martin signed a memorandum of understanding with Rheinmetall to explore co-production of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in Europe, supported by the US and German governments.
Army TechnologyUSA and Europe Expand Armaments: Alliance for More Rockets and Guided Missiles
At the NATO summit armaments forum in Ankara, the US and European allies announced expanded cooperation on guided missile production and maintenance. US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Michael P. Duffey stated that production of AMRAAM air-to-air missiles will be expanded with partners, and a maintenance center for PAC3 Patriot missiles will be established in Europe, though the host country is undecided. Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Sweden signed a letter of intent for the PAC3 center. For AMRAAM, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, Norway, Canada, Belgium, and Finland signed a letter of intent. Additionally, German defense group Rheinmetall signed a letter of intent with US manufacturer Lockheed Martin to co-produce ATACMS short-range surface-to-surface missiles at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site, marking the first such co-production in Europe. Rheinmetall CEO Armin emphasized this would strengthen defense policy autonomy for Germany and Europe.
taz.de - taz.deLockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to Co-Produce ATACMS Missiles in Germany
Lockheed Martin and German defense firm Rheinmetall signed a memorandum of understanding at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, Turkey, to establish co-production of the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in Europe. The joint venture, backed by the U.S. and German governments, will create the first ATACMS production line outside the United States at Rheinmetall's Unterluess site in Lower Saxony. The facility aims to become a European center of excellence for manufacturing, integrating, and distributing ATACMS to NATO and allied forces. The move is intended to ease production bottlenecks caused by high demand from Ukraine and NATO allies, as all ATACMS have previously been produced on a single U.S. line. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger framed the deal as part of a broader strategy to build European defense manufacturing autonomy.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsLockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to Co-Produce ATACMS Missiles in Germany
Lockheed Martin and German defense firm Rheinmetall signed a memorandum of understanding at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7 to establish co-production of the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in Europe. The joint venture, backed by the US and German governments, will create the first ATACMS production line outside the United States at Rheinmetall's Unterluess facility in Lower Saxony. The site already hosts a major artillery shell factory and is being expanded to include rocket motor production. The move aims to ease supply bottlenecks for NATO allies and Ukraine, which has used ATACMS against Russian targets. Executives from both companies hailed the partnership as a milestone for European security and industrial autonomy.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsLockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to Co-Produce ATACMS Missiles in Germany
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have agreed to pursue co-production of the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in Germany. This partnership aims to establish a European production line for the long-range precision strike missile, enhancing NATO's defense capabilities and reducing reliance on U.S.-only manufacturing. The move reflects growing European demand for advanced strike systems amid heightened security concerns, particularly related to the conflict in Ukraine. The co-production plan is subject to regulatory approvals and final contractual agreements.
RealClearDefense - HomepageGermany to become first international site for ATACMS missile production
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-produce the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site in northern Germany, marking the first time the ballistic missile will be manufactured outside the United States. The agreement, announced at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, is backed by both the U.S. and German governments and aims to create a European 'centre of excellence' for ATACMS production, integration, and distribution to NATO and allied forces. The move addresses a production bottleneck as Lockheed Martin winds down ATACMS output at its Camden, Arkansas, plant to prioritize the newer Precision Strike Missile, while European and Ukrainian demand remains high. Full missile production is expected to start in 2027 and scale up through 2029, with Rheinmetall estimating annual demand of 600 to 800 units. The partnership still requires U.S. government approval for technology transfer.
Defense NewsGermany to Host First International ATACMS Missile Production Line
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-produce the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site in northern Germany, marking the first time the ballistic missile will be manufactured outside the United States. The agreement, announced at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, is backed by both the U.S. and German governments and aims to create a European 'centre of excellence' for ATACMS production, integration, and distribution to NATO and allied forces. The move addresses a production bottleneck as Lockheed Martin winds down ATACMS output at its Camden, Arkansas, plant to prioritize the newer Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), even as European and Ukrainian demand remains high. Full missile production is expected to start in 2027 and scale up through 2029 to meet estimated annual demand of 600 to 800 units. The joint venture still requires U.S. government approval for technology transfer.
Defense NewsGermany to Host First International ATACMS Missile Production Line
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-produce the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site in Germany, marking the first time the ballistic missile will be manufactured outside the United States. The agreement, announced at the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum in Ankara, is backed by both the U.S. and German governments and aims to create a European 'centre of excellence' for producing, integrating, and distributing ATACMS to NATO and allied forces. The move addresses a production bottleneck as Lockheed Martin winds down ATACMS output at its Camden, Arkansas plant to prioritize the newer Precision Strike Missile. Production at Unterlüß is expected to begin in 2027 and scale up through 2029 to meet estimated annual European and Ukrainian demand of 600 to 800 units. The joint venture requires U.S. government approval for technology transfer. The companies have been building their partnership since 2024, with previous agreements covering a broader missile cooperation framework.
Defense NewsLockheed Martin and Rheinmetall Advance First ATACMS Co-Production in Europe
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum to establish the first co-production of ATACMS short-range missiles in Europe. The joint venture, supported by the US and German governments, will create a European center of excellence at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site in Germany for production, integration, and supply to NATO and allied European forces. The facility, already home to artillery ammunition production and a rocket motor factory nearing completion, will begin producing rocket motors and guided missile components in 2027. Lockheed Martin will maintain its existing production line in Camden, Arkansas, until the transition is complete. Executives from both companies emphasized that the partnership strengthens European deterrence capabilities, industrial cooperation, and defense policy autonomy, while meeting urgent demand for locally produced precision weapons demonstrated in high-intensity conflicts.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikLockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to Co-Produce ATACMS Missiles in Europe
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum to establish the first co-production of ATACMS short-range missiles in Europe. Supported by the US and German governments, a joint venture will create a European center of excellence for production, integration, and supply to NATO and allied forces. The production will take place at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site in Germany, which already hosts artillery ammunition and rocket motor facilities. Rocket motor production is slated to begin in 2027. The partnership aims to address the immediate need for locally produced ammunition in Europe, strengthen deterrence capabilities, and reduce reliance on US-only production. Lockheed Martin will continue its existing production line in Camden, Arkansas, until the transition is complete. Executives from both companies emphasized the strategic importance for European security and industrial autonomy.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikLockheed Martin and Rheinmetall Advance ATACMS Co-Production in Europe
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum to establish the first co-production of ATACMS missiles in Europe. The partnership, supported by the US and German governments, will create a joint venture and a European center of excellence for producing, integrating, and supplying ATACMS short-range missiles to NATO and allied European forces. Production will take place at Rheinmetall's Unterlüß site in Germany, which already hosts modern artillery ammunition facilities and a nearing-completion rocket motor factory. Rocket motor and guided missile component production is scheduled to begin in 2027. The initiative aims to address the immediate need for locally produced ammunition in Europe, strengthen deterrence capabilities, and enhance European defense industrial autonomy. Lockheed Martin will continue its existing production line in Camden, Arkansas, until the transition is complete.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und Wehrtechnik