Patriot returns: Bayern-Chemie breaks ground on new rocket engine facility

This article was originally published in German by https://www.hartpunkt.de/ on 21st November 2024. Hartpunkt and Calibre are collaborating to bring you the best content from across Europe. 

Production of Patriot rocket motors is set to return to Europe by the end of 2026. Bayern-Chemie, which belongs to MBDA Germany, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of new production facilities in preparation to produce rocket motors for the Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T air defence missiles on the 21st November in Aschau am Inn, Bavaria.

In January 2024, the NATO agency NSPA commissioned COMLOG GmbH, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Raytheon, to manufacture and deliver 1,000 Patriot PAC-2 GEM-T guided missiles for the German Armed Forces and other NATO partners. Bayern-Chemie is responsible for the production and delivery of the rocket motors.

“In Aschau am Inn, we are not only investing in buildings and machines for the production of 1,000 Patriot rocket motors, but also in a sustainable future. In doing so, we are making a contribution to defending our values ​​and democracy,” said Wolfgang Rieck, Managing Director of Bayern-Chemie GmbH.

In the future, the rudder control system at the end of the GEM-T missiles manufactured in Germany will no longer be hydraulic, but electro-mechanical. Modifications are also planned for the upper part of the rocket, the so-called forebody, as well as the installation of a new computer, which could possibly come from Europe. Credit: hartpunkt/Lars Hoffmann

The plan is to build six new buildings at the site by 2026: an assembly building, warehouse, combustion chamber preparation, technical centre, extension of the technical service and a new office wing. According to MBDA, a usable area of ​​6500 square meters will be created. The investment sum for this is in the mid-double-digit million range. Over 50 staff are to be employed in the project. In addition, over 50 Bavarian and German suppliers are involved in the qualification and series production phase.

According to MBDA, more than 2,300 Patriot engines were manufactured at Bayern-Chemie in Aschau between 1987 and 1996. The site offers ideal conditions for the renewed qualification and series production of the approximately 1,000 engines ordered, as Bayern-Chemie has permits for the production and testing of explosives.

The company specializes in the development of guided missile and space propulsion systems. One of its core competencies is the manufacture of controllable solid fuel ramjet engines. The company manufactures the solid fuel ramjet engine for the Meteor air-to-air missile.

Calibre comment

Europe sorely needs to increase its production of complex weapons and reduce dependencies upon US production. The production of Patriot rocket motors in Europe will contribute to shoring up missile stocks, especially of air defence interceptors which are critical to deterring and countering Russia’s own defence build up.