Spain reinforces its air defense with new Patriot missile batteries PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.8 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Spain has requested to buy four (4) PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units consisting of: fifty-one (51) PATRIOT Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles (includes one (1) Fly-to-Buy missile); twenty-four (24) PATRIOT M903 launch stations; four (4) AN/MPQ-65 radar sets; four (4) AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations; two (2) Information Coordination Central (ICC); eight (8) Antenna Mast Groups; four (4) Electrical Power Plants; and four (4) Energy Power Units. Also included is communications equipment; tools and test equipment; range and test programs; support equipment and services comprising Skids kits, telemetry kits, generators, publications, and technical documentation; training equipment; spare and repair parts; Repair and Return; personnel training; New Equipment Training (NET); Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) support; Flight Test Support and Targets; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, engineering, and logistics support services; Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO) and Battalion Demonstration; field office support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.8 billion.

The Spanish Army currently operates three Patriot missile batteries in the 2+ configuration, each equipped with four launchers, within the Patriot Group based in Marines, Valencia, as part of the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment No. 73.

Spain procured its initial Patriot battery from Germany in 2004, which became operational in the Spanish Army a year later. A decade later, the Spanish Ministry of Defense acquired the other two batteries from its German counterpart in a second-hand transaction, aimed at fulfilling commitments made during the 2014 NATO summit.

In June 2015, the Spanish Army took delivery of the two batteries, along with various components, including the Control and Information Center (CIC), carrier vehicles, communication equipment, and logistical supplies.

At present, one of the three batteries is permanently stationed in Turkey as part of the NATO Active Fence mission. This mission serves to safeguard Turkey against potential ballistic missile threats originating from its neighboring country, Syria."