Germany Drops Out of MEADS, Looks to Future SAM Program

Germany is following the U.S. out of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program. Berlin said it will not pursue a multibillion-dollar project without the U.S. as a partner.

MEADS is a mobile air defense system capable of engaging aircraft and missile threats. The latter threats include shorter-range ballistic and low-flying cruise missiles. Rising costs doomed the program.

Although the partners will complete the development phase, procurement will not take place.

Germany will obtain the results of the development phase for use as a basis for future national activities. Berlin plans to make a decision on its future air defense plans by the end of the year.

MEADS International, the prime contractor for this program, is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin in the United States, MBDA Germany and MBDA Italy.

MBDA expects national and bilateral follow-up activities.