Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 26, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleLockheed Martin aims to sell its Thaad missile defense in Europe as military spending rises due to Russian threats. The company partners with Rheinmetall to secure contracts.
BERLIN (Reuters) -U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin is seeking to market its Thaad missile defence system to European buyers, the company told German newspaper Handelsblatt, as governments across the continent accelerate military spending in response to Russian threats.
In an interview published on Friday, the president of Lockheed Martin International, Michael Williamson, said the group is in negotiations with potential customers for the system, which costs more than 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion).
Thaad could be introduced to Europe as part of the European Skyshield Initiative, an air-defence project led by Germany, as an alternative to Israel's Arrow 3 system, for which Berlin has already opted, the paper reported.
DRONE PARTNERSHIPS RESHAPE MILITARY PROCUREMENT
Europe's defence budgets have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, with governments including Germany planning hundreds of billions of euros in investments.
Recent incidents involving suspected Russian drones entering NATO airspace, including in Denmark and Poland, have added urgency to bolster missile and drone defences.
This has attracted Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to compete in the region, according to Handelsblatt. Williamson told the paper he sees the greatest growth prospects in markets outside the U.S., such as Europe, over the next five years.
Lockheed Martin's partnership with Rheinmetall is seen as key to securing future contracts in Germany. Williamson said the cooperation creates jobs and opens doors to political decision-makers, according to Handelsblatt.
However, European governments remain wary of U.S. dominance, with Denmark recently rejecting the U.S. Patriot system in favour of the European-made SAMP/T.
($1 = 0.8565 euros)
(Reporting by Kirsti KnolleEditing by Ludwig Burger and Nick Zieminski)
Lockheed Martin aims to market its Thaad missile defense system to European buyers, as stated by the company's president in a recent interview.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Europe's defense budgets have surged, with countries like Germany planning significant investments.
Germany has opted for Israel's Arrow 3 system but is also considering the Thaad missile defense system as part of the European Skyshield Initiative.
European governments are cautious about U.S. dominance in defense, as evidenced by Denmark's recent rejection of the U.S. Patriot system in favor of the European-made SAMP/T.
Lockheed Martin's partnership with Rheinmetall is crucial for securing future contracts in Germany, as it helps create jobs and connects the company with political decision-makers.
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