The Pentagon has signed two contracts totaling more than 730 million dollars with U.S. defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The deals focus on modernizing and replacing the Stinger portable air defense system, also known as MANPADS. This summary reflects information from a Pentagon briefing and a department of defense update distributed through RIA NewsCiting.
The Raytheon agreement allocates 418.3 million dollars for upgrading and replacing Stinger missiles. The work is set to take place in Tucson, Arizona, and the project is scheduled for completion on March 12, 2028. The scope includes modernization of existing stocks and the procurement of upgraded components to enhance reliability and range. This investment underscores ongoing efforts to maintain air defense capabilities with domestically produced systems.
Under the Lockheed Martin contract, 311.9 million dollars will fund activities through June 2028. The work encompasses similar objectives of modernization and replenishment, ensuring improved performance and sustainment of air defense assets. The arrangement aligns with broader national security goals and the steady renewal of essential defense inventories.
Earlier disclosures indicated that the Pentagon directed 9.7 billion dollars to U.S. defense firms to refresh weapon stockpiles. A portion of this total, 2.3 billion dollars of a 6 billion dollar allocation, supported replenishment for Lockheed Martin, aimed at restocking weapons stocks sent to Ukraine.
Lockheed Martin’s broader contracts include 1.4 billion dollars within a 5.2 billion program intended to replace GMLRS missile systems deployed to Ukraine. Raytheon received 844 million dollars to manufacture Patriot air defense missiles and 581 million dollars for Stinger MANPADS replacement initiatives. These investments reflect a coordinated effort to sustain and upgrade multiple lines of defense hardware.
Congress has also authorized 18.6 billion dollars for Ukraine’s longer-term arms needs, with about 7 billion already distributed to American defense companies. The allocation supports a continuing flow of equipment and technology through established defense supply channels.
In related notes, NATO has stated a condition related to the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine. This condition highlights the ongoing diplomacy and alliance considerations that accompany security assistance programs and the delivery of advanced air power capabilities.