Stinger Missile Training

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. James Johnston fires a Stinger during LAAD training at Led Mountain, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 14, 2019. The purpose of the exercise was to test the Stinger missiles and to qualify Marines with LAAD section, MCCES as part of their annual training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rachel K. Young)

FARNBOROUGH 2022: In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, Europe has finally awoken to the lack of “magazine depth” — having stocks in reserve — for precision fires, according to Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Kremer said the company is trying to position itself to help “equip NATO for the future,” even as the contractor struggles to find ways to up production on suddenly in-demand weapon systems.

“Having an active war in Europe is certainly something that challenges the entire world,” he said. “How do we support the US government in their efforts to support Ukraine? That comes from both the Stinger missile and the Javelin system. We play important roles on that.

“Russia has deployed a lot of systems to Ukraine. But you know, I think everyone, myself included, is surprised at how poorly some of the Russian systems have fared there. And so it really shows that we and NATO have a capability advantage.”

Kremer highlighted a “thank you letter” from the Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces who credited successes in the battle of Kyiv (February 25 to March 31) to the deployment of Javelin and Stinger missiles.

“That’s what Ukraine has proved. It really is important not only to have that deterrence capability, but to be able to have enough quantities. Because as we saw, stores get depleted very quickly,” he said.

RELATED: Facing obsolete parts, Raytheon struggling to replace Stingers sent to Ukraine

While Kremer has an obvious interest in pushing countries to buy more Raytheon weapons, it’s undeniable that the company’s products have been a big part of the fight in Ukraine. In particular, the company is being pushed by the Pentagon to finds ways to replenish both the Stinger and the Javelin, which is a joint venture between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Kremer called that the company’s “biggest challenge,” saying, “I think that is one of the realization factors, because replenishment doesn’t happen overnight. We’re a defense contractor, we don’t build and hold stores, we deliver to contracts, and we deliver to customers.

“And obviously a large part of what is held is in US inventory, some of that is held in partner nations. But when something like [the Ukraine war] happens, it takes some time in order to replenish,” he continued.

Referring to discussions at June’s NATO summit in Madrid, Kremer said magazine depth was now one of the alliance’s major priorities.

“What was recently reinforced with the Madrid summit is this commitment to capacity. The greatest thing that came out of that is that NATO and their allies need to not only have the capability, but there needs to be the inventory to backup that deterrent capability.

“You look at the recent announcements, whether it’s in Germany or other countries, and there seems to be a commitment to magazine depth and I will tell you that when we look at our internal investments in facilities sizing factory and stuff, I think it’s different this time.

RELATED: After DoD’s $1.5B move, Army and Marines rush to buy new Javelins, Stingers

“And we believe that it’s not just going to be a quick spike and you know, the demand will go away. I think that served as a wake up call and the realization that having sufficient magazine depth is important.”

Questioned whether the Pentagon has adequate magazine depth, Kremer countered with questions of his own: “Is the US magazine depth enough to cover just US needs? Or must it cover US and allied needs? Where should that magazine depth be held? And who pays for that? Let’s face it, this was part of the discussion that President [Donald] Trump actually started regarding who should pay for this and that’s very much an ongoing question.”

Kremer also observed that European air forces need to build up inventories in terms of air-to-ground weapons, suggesting magazine depths are exhausted quickly leading to increased reliance upon US stocks.

“It can take two to three years to deliver a new order. So having that capability becomes important,” he said.

Kremer also confirmed two NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile) systems, developed in cooperation with Norwegian partner Kongsberg, are still awaiting deployment to Kyiv.

“We are working with the US government,” Kremer said of US-funded procurement.

According to Raytheon, NASAMS is a “mid-range air defense solution” featuring the Sentinel radar; Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM); and Fire Distribution Center, capable of identifying, engaging and destroying contemporary and future air threats including cruise missiles and uncrewed aerial systems.

NASAMS customers include 12 countries, seven of which are NATO members.