RTX’s Raytheon Wins $1.7 Billion Contract for Spain’s Patriot Air Defense

Raytheon, an RTX business, has secured a major $1.7 billion contract to provide Spain with four Patriot air and missile defense systems, significantly strengthening the country’s ability to counter a wide range of modern aerial threats. Awarded under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the deal underscores Spain’s commitment to modernizing its national air and missile defense architecture amid an increasingly complex security environment.

The contract covers a comprehensive Patriot system package, including advanced radars, missile launchers, command-and-control stations, and associated training equipment. Together, these elements will enable Spain to detect, track, and intercept a variety of airborne threats, ranging from long-range cruise missiles to tactical ballistic missiles and hostile aircraft. The inclusion of training systems ensures that Spanish operators and maintainers can rapidly achieve operational readiness and sustain the systems over their service life.

Raytheon emphasized that the agreement is not only about delivering hardware, but also about supporting Spain’s long-term defense sovereignty. Pete Bata, senior vice president of Global Patriot at Raytheon, said modernizing air and missile defense capabilities is essential to Spain’s national security. He noted that Raytheon’s close cooperation with the Spanish government and domestic industry partners will help ensure the country remains prepared to counter evolving and increasingly sophisticated threats. According to Bata, the company remains committed to working alongside Spain’s defense sector to successfully deliver and support the Patriot systems.

A key component of the program is Raytheon’s collaboration with Spain’s local defense industry. The company has already partnered with Spanish firm Sener, which contributes to the electro-mechanical control system of the Patriot GEM-T missile as part of Raytheon’s global Patriot supply chain. This industrial participation not only strengthens Spain’s domestic defense capabilities but also integrates Spanish companies into an international network supporting Patriot systems operated worldwide.

Patriot is widely regarded as the most proven ground-based air and missile defense system currently in service. It is the only system of its kind with an extensive combat record defending against long-range cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, and a full spectrum of air-breathing threats. Supported by a highly advanced command-and-control architecture, Patriot has successfully intercepted hundreds of advanced aerial targets in real-world combat operations across multiple theaters.

Today, Patriot forms the backbone of air and missile defense for 19 countries, reflecting its global adoption and continued relevance. The system has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to defeat advanced threats, including coordinated and complex mass-attack scenarios. Ongoing upgrades and modernization efforts ensure Patriot remains effective against emerging challenges, such as faster, more maneuverable missiles and increasingly sophisticated aerial attack profiles.

The Spanish contract comes amid rising demand for Patriot systems across Europe. In 2025, countries including Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania have placed additional orders for the system, highlighting a broader regional push to strengthen air and missile defenses. As security concerns continue to evolve, Raytheon’s latest agreement with Spain reinforces Patriot’s role as a cornerstone of allied air defense and a critical element of NATO’s collective security posture.