Scott Nicholas
Lockheed Martin has said it expects its partner MBDA to submit a proposal to Germany’s defense ministry by early August to begin negotiations with the country’s government on a potential $4.5 billion missile defense system, Reuters reported Tuesday.
Andrea Shalal writes that Rick Edwards, executive vice president of Lockheed’s missiles and fire control business, has indicated negotiations for the Medium Extended Air Defense System could start once a proposal is submitted or it could slip into early 2017.
“I think it’s important that it get done by the first quarter of next year before we get into the German election cycle,” said Edwards.
Ralf Brauksiepe, Germany’s state secretary, has previously said in a government document that negotiations with the Lockheed-MBDA team may not be finalized within the year and face difficulties in securing parliamentary approval as the country’s national election approaches.
