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Raytheon: Several Nations Interested In Patriot Upgrades

By Staff Writer | January 22, 2007

      Several nations are discussing possible upgrades to Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles, according to briefers at a Raytheon Co. [RTN] media conference call.

      Customers potentially interested in upgrading to the PAC-3 Configuration 3 might include NATO countries Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, and Spain, along with Middle East countries Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and Asian nations Japan and Taiwan, according to briefers.

      Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] makes the missile and several key components used in the upgrade, a Lockheed source said. Raytheon performs the upgrade, the briefers said.

      The telephone briefing was conducted by Rick Yuse, vice president of Raytheon integrated air defense, and Skip Garrett, vice president of Raytheon international operations.

      They declined to say how many upgrades are being considered for each nation, or the amount of money involved.

      The U.S. Army uses it, with discussions now on upgrading its remaining Patriots, according to the briefers. They referred questions on numbers of missiles to the Pentagon. Taiwan also may join in, Garrett said, adding that “we’re still waiting for the [Taiwanese] defense budget to be passed through the legislature” there.

      Discussions also have been held with potential new customers Turkey and South Korea, and other nations the briefers declined to name. Iraq isn’t one of them.