RTX’s Raytheon is planning to double production of its Stinger surface-to-air missile through expanded collaboration with European defense manufacturers.
Following a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2025 to establish Stinger missile production in Europe, Raytheon has selected Diehl Defence to manufacture the missile’s guidance section while sourcing associated subcomponents from suppliers across the continent.
The company is also partnering with Dutch industry to produce additional major Stinger assemblies, with final assembly, testing, and system completion to be carried out in the Netherlands.
The increased manufacturing capacity is intended to meet growing demand from European armed forces for the combat-proven missile and support future procurement initiatives through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
The FIM-92 Stinger is a lightweight, shoulder-launched air defense missile designed to engage low-flying threats such as helicopters and drones. Since entering service with the US Army in 1981, the system has gained renewed demand following its battlefield performance in Ukraine and the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems. While Raytheon continues to expand Stinger production, the US Army is simultaneously developing its potential replacement, the Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI).
