European Stinger Missile Production in Germany Reflects US Efforts to Preserve Market Share.

Raytheon, a subsidiary of the American group RTX, and the German company Diehl Defence have formalized the signing of a memorandum of understanding to launch the co-production in Europe of key components of the Stinger surface-to-air missile. The announcement, made on August 19, 2025, marks an important step in strengthening the European defense industrial base and responding to growing demand for short-range air defense systems.
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The Stinger, originally developed several decades ago, is a lightweight, autonomous and combat-proven system (Picture source: US DoD)

Designed for use by ground forces against aircraft and cruise missiles, the Stinger has remained relevant through continuous upgrades, particularly in guidance and control. The missile is today a cornerstone of short-range air defense for many countries. Twenty-four nations have adopted it, including ten NATO members such as Germany. According to Raytheon, global demand has reached unprecedented levels due to the weapon’s effectiveness against a wide variety of low-altitude aerial threats.

The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) designed in the United States and introduced into service in 1981. Successor to the Redeye missile, it is currently employed by the U.S. armed forces and around thirty other countries. Light, self-contained and easy to operate, it provides close-range protection against aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. Based on a passive infrared guidance system, the Stinger is a “fire-and-forget” weapon that allows the operator to take cover or re-engage immediately after firing, increasing survivability. It can be fired from the shoulder by a single operator, mounted on ground platforms such as the M1097 Avenger, or adapted for use as an air-to-air weapon from helicopters.

Technically, the missile is 1.52 meters long, weighs 10.1 kilograms, and with its launch unit reaches approximately 15.2 kilograms. It carries a 3 kg warhead with an impact fuze and a self-destruct mechanism, and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.2. Its operational range extends from 1,000 to 8,000 meters with engagement altitudes up to 3,800 meters. Successive variants, notably the RMP and Block I models, have improved resistance to electronic countermeasures and performance against smaller targets. The system has been extensively tested in combat, with more than 270 confirmed aircraft kills, making it one of the most widely used and recognized MANPADS worldwide.

For Diehl Defence, this cooperation signals a clear intention to expand its role within Europe’s defense framework. CEO Helmut Rauch underlined that restarting Stinger production builds on the company’s existing experience in ground-based air defense. Diehl is considering increasing production capacity either by upgrading current facilities or opening new sites. This reflects the evolving security situation in Europe, where several NATO countries are seeking to expand their missile stockpiles and diversify supply sources.

The war launched by Russia against Ukraine has sharply revived interest in air defense systems. The Stinger, extensively employed by Ukrainian forces against Russian aircraft and drones, has demonstrated effectiveness and adaptability, which has accelerated replacement orders in Europe. Although the memorandum does not specify which components will be produced or the implementation timeline, it establishes a framework to ensure production continuity and secure European allies’ access to this system.

The initiative is part of a broader trend of transatlantic cooperation. By relocating part of production to Europe, Raytheon and Diehl aim to shorten supply chains, strengthen industrial resilience, and meet NATO defense planning objectives. At the same time, Raytheon also plans to expand other production programs in Europe, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile in Belgium, in the context of growing NASAMS deployments planned for Belgium and Luxembourg.

This decision also reflects Raytheon’s intent to safeguard its market share against European competitors. In several countries, national or regional alternatives to the Stinger, such as Poland’s Piorun (recently acquired by Belgium), Sweden’s RBS 70, France’s Mistral 3, and Italy’s FULGUR, have established themselves as credible options. Cooperation with Diehl could therefore be seen as a way to consolidate Raytheon’s position in the European defense industry.

With more than twenty user countries and confirmed operational performance in multiple theaters, the Stinger remains central to short-range air defense arsenals. The agreement between Raytheon and Diehl aims to extend this position at a time when threats from armed drones and cruise missiles continue to increase.