Raytheon, a business unit of RTX (NYSE: RTX), is partnering with European defense firms to double global production of the Stinger missile amid rising international demand.
The expansion involves collaboration with Diehl Defence, a German defense company, which will manufacture the guidance section, a critical component of the Stinger missile system.
Diehl Defence will also source related subcomponents from suppliers located across Europe as part of the broader production scale-up effort.
Raytheon is additionally working with key Dutch suppliers to manufacture major Stinger assemblies, with final assembly, testing, and completion set to take place in the Netherlands.
Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, emphasized the strategic importance of the move for allied nations relying on air defense capabilities.
“We are laser-focused on doubling our Stinger missile production capacity,” Laliberty said, adding that expanding European production strengthens the industrial base and broadens the company’s global network.
“Ensuring our allies have reliable access to this critical air defense capability” was cited by Laliberty as a central goal driving the production expansion across the Atlantic.
Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, welcomed the renewed partnership, noting the two companies have previously collaborated on Stinger missile component production.
“Producing the guidance section for new Stinger systems marks another strong chapter of cooperation between Diehl Defence and Raytheon,” Rauch said in a statement accompanying the announcement.
The Stinger missile is a lightweight, combat-proven, self-contained air defense system used by ground troops to counter cruise missiles and aircraft at low altitude.
The system is currently the preferred surface-to-air missile for 24 countries worldwide, including 10 members of the NATO alliance.
The expanded European production footprint is designed to support future procurement work with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, known as the NSPA, to address growing European demand.
RTX employs more than 180,000 people globally and reported 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, with its headquarters located in Arlington, Virginia.
Diehl Defence, headquartered in Überlingen, Germany, employs more than 6,000 people and generates annual sales of over 2.5 billion euros across its defense portfolio.
