German defence minister Pistorius will meet U.S. defence secretary Hegseth in Washington on Tuesday to discuss deeper defence‑industrial cooperation as Europe seeks to replenish shrinking air‑defence missile and long‑range strike inventories. The two are expected to sign an agreement to allow European firms to produce certain U.S. weapons systems under licence, a step Pistorius said would enable faster, larger‑scale production of deterrence and defence systems NATO allies urgently need and stren

German defence minister Pistorius will meet U.S. defence secretary Hegseth in Washington on Tuesday to discuss deeper defence‑industrial cooperation as Europe seeks to replenish shrinking air‑defence missile and long‑range strike inventories. The two are expected to sign an agreement to allow European firms to produce certain U.S. weapons systems under licence, a step Pistorius said would enable faster, larger‑scale production of deterrence and defence systems NATO allies urgently need and strengthen German, U.S. and alliance readiness. Existing arrangements already permit German production of F‑35 fuselage components and PAC‑2 guidance missiles used on Patriot systems.