The world is running out of Stinger missiles. Compounding the problem, all the people who know how to make them are retired.
The missile and its launchers are made by the U.S.-based defense contractor RTX. Stingers are lightweight, easy to shoot and have a kill rate around 90%. Its versatility means the Stinger can be launched from aircraft, ground-based vehicles, or in man portable air defense systems (MANPADS).
Stingers first went into production in 1978 and received a few updates since then. Last year, the Pentagon placed an order to buy around 1700 new Stinger missiles. It was the first order for new Stingers in almost 20 years.
So why is there suddenly an uptick in stinger demand? Ukraine, of course.
The United States sent Ukraine around 2,000 Stingers, so far, with plans to send more. Every Stinger sent comes from dwindling U.S. stockpiles.
From a tactical standpoint, Stingers are absolutely vital to any offensive Ukraine hopes to wage against Russia. They’re a low-tech counterpunch to Russia’s high-tech air superiority.
In an interview with Defense One, Wes Kremer, the president of RTX’s Raytheon division, said the company is “pulling test equipment out of warehouses” and “blowing the spider webs off.”
He also said RTX is bringing some of its former employees, who are now in their 70s, out of retirement to teach new employees how to build the missiles.
“Stinger’s been out of production for 20 years, and all of a sudden in the first 48 hours [of the war], it’s the star of the show and everybody wants more.”
Wes Kremer, President of RTX’s Raytheon Division
It will be about two and half years before the first new Stingers start rolling off the production line. That’s how long it takes to get the factory set up again and new workers trained.
Also, because it’s been so long since Stingers were made, some of the components need to be redesigned. Not all the original parts are even available anymore. The production process can’t be sped up through 3D printing or automation either, because doing so would mean a total redesign of the weapon and a lengthy certification process.
Outside of Ukraine, it’s likely RTX will have more customers lining up to purchase new Stingers. They’re already deployed in almost 30 countries, and on semi-autonomous self-governing islands like Taiwan.
Since Stingers are effective against stopping everything from drones to jets, the missiles make for a vital tool in any air defense arsenal.
