NATO SeaSparrow program delivers 1,000th ESSM Block 2 missile as production doubles in 16 months

The U.S. Navy’s NATO SEASPARROW Program has marked the delivery of the 1,000th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2, a ship-launched surface-to-air missile built for the 12-nation NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, in an announcement published on November 2, 2026.

The program, known as PMX-312, said the milestone was celebrated with industry partners in Camden, Arkansas, on October 28. It described the ESSM Block 2 as a missile that provides ship self-defense and local-area defense against advanced airborne and surface threats.

Production has doubled in just over a year

According to the program, the 500th Block 2 missile was delivered in June 2025, so output of the second 500 took just over a year. The U.S. Navy said the milestone reflects the continued expansion of production to meet growing U.S. and international demand. It did not publish annual delivery rates or a contract value in the announcement.

Raytheon, an RTX business, is the prime contractor for Block 2 production and works with the U.S. Navy, the consortium nations and a multinational industrial base. Capt. John Bowman, the PMX-312 program manager, said the delivery “demonstrates the enduring value of international cooperation and a resilient industrial base.”

A consortium that includes Greece

The NATO SEASPARROW Project dates to 1968 and is described as one of NATO’s longest-running cooperative weapons programs. Its 12 members are Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United States. Greece is therefore one of the nations that cooperate on developing, producing and sustaining the missile. The announcement does not say how many missiles have gone to any individual member, and it does not mention Greek orders.

The program is managed by PAE Munitions, the Department of the Navy organization responsible for developing, procuring and delivering naval munitions and strike capabilities. PAE Munitions says it works to align the weapons industrial base so the fleet has the munitions it needs.

Part of a wider push on naval munitions

The announcement fits a broader effort to raise output of naval missiles. Geopolitiki has earlier reported on a similar expansion for another naval interceptor: US Navy awards Raytheon contract worth up to $24.4 billion to expand SM-6 production.

The announcement is a program milestone release and carries no information on operational use, deployments or new orders.