08/07/2026 - 8:23 GMT+2
US defence giant Lockheed Martin and Germany's Rheinmetall have agreed to begin producing ATACMS short-range ballistic missiles in Germany, marking the first time the US-developed weapon system will be manufactured outside the United States.
With a range of up to 300 kilometres, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) has been widely used by Ukraine throughout the war.
The announcement comes as NATO leaders gather in Turkey for the alliance's summit, where Europe's military build-up is expected to take centre stage amid pressure from US President Donald Trump for allies to boost defence spending.
Under the memorandum of understanding, Rheinmetall would establish a European production hub for the guided missiles at its artillery plant in Unterlüß, northern Germany. Chief executive Armin Papperger said the facility would assemble ATACMS missiles for NATO allies and other partner countries.
