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By Mike Stone
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Military has signed a deal to purchase $687 million value of anti-aircraft Stinger missiles to replenish shares despatched to Ukraine, sources stated on Friday.
The shoulder-fired anti-aircraft Stinger missiles made by Raytheon Applied sciences (NYSE:) have been in sizzling demand in Ukraine, the place they’ve efficiently stopped Russian assaults from the air, and in neighboring European nations who worry they could additionally have to beat again Russian forces.
The contract for a complete of 1,468 Stingers was awarded Wednesday in keeping with a doc reviewed by Reuters. There was no timeline for the completion of the work, but it surely was estimated supply may take as many as 30 months.
The Pentagon didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark
U.S. troops have restricted use for the present provide of Stingers — a light-weight, self-contained weapon that may be deployed rapidly to defend in opposition to helicopters, airplanes, drones and even cruise missiles — however the US wants to take care of its provide readily available whereas it develops the following era of a “man-portable air protection system.”
On Could 6 the Pentagon’s chief weapons purchaser, Invoice LaPlante, stated that he had aimed to signal a contract by the top of Could and that the intent is to switch the Stinger missiles despatched to Ukraine one-for-one.
Since February, the U.S. has shipped about 1,400 Stingers to Ukraine. U.S. allies additionally need to restock the weapons they shipped to Ukraine in current months.
The Stinger manufacturing line was closed in December 2020, the Pentagon has stated. Since then, Raytheon (NYSE:) gained a contract in July 2021 to fabricate extra Stingers, however primarily for worldwide governments, in keeping with the U.S. Military.
The only Stinger facility, in Arizona, solely produces at a low charge.
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