The Swedish government is empowering the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to procure and enter into an agreement with the U.S. to procure the Patriot air and missile defense system, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
Last November the government authorized FMV to send a letter of request to the U.S. and start negotiations to acquire the Raytheon [RTN]-built Patriot to replace its legacy air defense capabilities. After the negotiations ended, FMV received an offer from the U.S. to acquire Patriot in April, the ministry said.
The offer covers four firing system units, two types of missiles, and associated maintenance equipment and training.
Negotiations have focused on delivering the Patriots to Sweden’s two air defense battalions starting in 2020. Delivery is planned to be finished and finalized by 2025.
The Swedish announcement did not come with an expected pricetag but back in February the State Department approved a possible $3.2 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Sweden for four Patriot Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units (Defense Daily, Feb. 21).