Spain buys extra Patriot SAM batteries from Germany

David Ing, Madrid - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
17 December 2014



Spain is buying two additional Patriot SAM batteries from former German Army stocks. Source: Spanish Army
Spain is to buy two surplus Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries from Germany ahead of deploying some of its existing Patriot systems as part of the NATO cover agreed for Turkey.

The two batteries will each include five launchers in the Patriot Advanced Capability Two Plus (PAC-2+) configuration, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman told IHS Jane's on 17 December.

In total the package as approved by the Spanish cabinet is valued at EUR41.16 million (USD51 million) and will also include an Information Coordination Central (ICC) command station, transport vehicles, and communications equipment.

Spain took delivery of its first Patriot battery in 2004, also purchased second-hand from Germany. This battery included eight launchers, a radar, and an engagement control station (ECS). However, the initial buy did not include an ICC - needed to integrate a Patriot battery into a wider air defence system - or the communications system needed to link the ECS and the ICC and offer secure 360° coverage.

The MoD added to IHS Jane's that the latest purchase would provide Spain with the option of fielding three batteries of six launchers, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Spain's contingent to help cover Turkey's southern borders against possible attacks from Syria forces or the Islamic State (IS) operating in Iraq and Syria is due to be in place near the city of Adana in late January.

The two-year deployment, involving up to 150 troops, was agreed with NATO in September. Spain will take over from a Dutch unit and operate in conjunction with US and German batteries.

The 9th Patriot Battery of the Regimiento de Artillería Antiaérea Nº 74 received its final NATO certification for taking on the mission in November.

IHS Janes