US approves key step toward German missile defense deal
The US government has allowed Lockheed Martin Corp., a major American weapons manufacturer, to integrate its Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile into a next-generation German missile defense system, the Pentagon spokesman says.
The decision announced by US Air Force Col. Mike Andrews Friday is seen as a major step toward completion of a long-delayed multibillion-dollar arms sale.
In 2015, Germany chose the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) manufactured by Lockheed and European missile maker MBDA over Patriot air and missile defense system developed by Raytheon, another major US defense corporation.
However, Berlin has, so far, been unable to move forward on its new defensive system known as TLVS because Lockheed needed approval for Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile’ integration into German program since the missile was developed separately from MEADS.
The approval came after high-level talks between US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen this summer, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
"This is a significant step forward. The impasse has been solved," said one of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Lockheed and MBDA refused to give details, but said they were hopeful that the program was making progress.
A spokesman at the German defense ministry said, "There is new momentum. Both sides are clearly committed to successful completion of the TLVS program."
Germany wishes to sign a contract for TLVS in 2019 and field the system in 2025. In August, the country’s defense ministry asked Lockheed and MBDA to give their best and final offer for the program, but that required US government approval.
Sources say that the TLVS system, whose initial cost was slated to be around 4 billion euros ($4.56 billion), is now expected to be several billion euros higher.
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