Germany buys Stingers. A costly supplement to aid for Ukraine

The American Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has granted consent for the supply of Stinger missiles to three European countries: Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. The transactions will be carried out through the NATO agency NSPA. In the case of Germany and the Netherlands, the missiles will likely replenish stocks previously transferred to Ukraine. However, the cost of American missiles, such as the FIM-92K Stinger Block 1, is relatively high compared to the Polish Pioruns.

According to the DSCA's announcement, consent was given for the purchase of 940 FIM-92K Stinger Block 1 missiles, along with battery cooling systems, metal containers, and operational support elements from the US government. The package is valued at a maximum of USD 780 million (just over PLN 3 billion).

Stinger missile resurgence in Europe: Implications for security and interoperability

The announcement emphasizes that the transaction aligns with the security policy goals of the United States, supporting the defense of allied territories, regional stability, and interoperability with the US military. The main contractors for this transaction will be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and no offset provisions are included.

It is highly probable that at least two of the mentioned countries, Germany and the Netherlands, are acquiring the equipment to replenish their stocks after providing assistance to Ukraine.

In the initial stages of the full-scale war, Germany provided Kyiv with 500 Stinger missiles (designated as Fliegerfaust 2, once produced locally under license in Germany), and the Netherlands provided an additional 200. Both countries use Stingers and systems equipped with them (Ozelot and Fennek Stinger), and Germany plans to integrate them into the first batch of Skyranger 30 sets on the Boxer chassis.

This transaction, pending the completion of agreements (the congressional notification process is currently underway), holds significance for the market of MANPADS (shoulder-launched) portable anti-aircraft missile systems in Europe. It indicates a growing interest in Stinger missiles as production resumes to replace equipment transferred to Ukraine. In 2022, a contract was signed for 1,300 Stingers for the US Army, valued at USD 624 million, or approximately PLN 2.4 billion at today's exchange rate.

Piorun rockets: Poland's cost-effective game-changer in the anti-aircraft market

Simultaneously, Poland placed its largest-ever order for Pioruns from the Mesko plant, comprising 3,500 rockets and 600 launch mechanisms, for PLN 3.5 billion gross (including VAT). Polish missiles are significantly more cost-effective, and their high effectiveness was demonstrated during the war in Ukraine.

Pioruns have also become an export success, with orders from the USA, Norway (winning against competition from several NATO countries, including France, Sweden, and the United States), Estonia, Latvia, and an unspecified Balkan country. Piorun was also pre-selected in a competitive procedure for the very short-range set in Slovakia.

The production capacity of Polish portable anti-aircraft systems is being increased, and production is expected to exceed a thousand units next year. This is happening at a faster pace compared to the production plan for Stingers, which earlier information suggested at 60 Stingers per month (700 to 750 per year) by 2025.