Pentagon Widens Patriot Missile Order to Nearly $59 Billion

The Pentagon increased its long-term Patriot missile order to nearly $59 billion.

The modified Army contract with Lockheed Martin is worth up to $53.9 billion, adding to a $4.7 billion order from April.

The U.S. also issued Lockheed a preliminary $35 billion multiyear contract for Thaad interceptors.

The seven-year contract aims to guarantee smoother supply through multiyear deals instead of annual purchases.

Both Patriot and Thaad contracts are undefinitized, lacking full congressional funding.