European production to boost output and strengthen the transatlantic defense industrial base
ANKARA, Türkiye, July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has announced plans to double the production of the Stinger® missile to meet the increasing global demand. This expansion will be supported by collaboration with European partners, particularly Diehl Defence.
In this partnership, Diehl Defence will manufacture the guidance section, which is a critical component of the Stinger missile, and will procure associated subcomponents from various locations across Europe. Additionally, Raytheon will engage with key suppliers in the Netherlands to fabricate significant assemblies of the Stinger missile, with final assembly, testing, and completion occurring in the Netherlands.
Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, emphasized the company’s commitment, stating, “We are laser-focused on doubling our Stinger missile production capacity. Expanding Stinger production in Europe strengthens our industrial base and broadens our global network, ensuring our allies have reliable access to this critical air defense capability.”
The Stinger missile is a lightweight and combat-proven air defense system designed for use by ground forces against threats such as cruise missiles and aircraft. Currently, Stinger is the preferred surface-to-air missile for 24 nations, including 10 NATO members.
Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, expressed pride in this ongoing collaboration, stating, “We are proud to work together once again on Stinger, where we previously produced relevant parts of the missile. Producing the guidance section for new Stinger systems marks another strong chapter of cooperation between Diehl Defence and Raytheon.”
The increased production capacity in Europe is expected to facilitate ongoing collaboration with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to address the defense needs of European nations.
About Raytheon
Raytheon, part of RTX, is recognized as a leading provider of defense solutions, assisting the U.S. government, allies, and partners in defending their national sovereignty and security. With over a century of experience, Raytheon focuses on technologies in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, advanced sensors, and other defense capabilities.
About RTX
RTX employs over 180,000 professionals worldwide, pushing the boundaries of technology and science for enhanced connectivity and security. The company, which is based in Arlington, Virginia, generated sales exceeding $88 billion in 2025, specializing in aviation, defense systems, and innovative technology solutions.
For inquiries, please contact:
David Voskuhl, Vice President Communications & PR, +49 7551 89-6955, [email protected], www.diehl.com/defence
Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-07-07 13:05:00)
