Washington. April 28. INTERFAX-The Pentagon plans to spend nearly $18 billion to develop, manufacture and support interceptors of missiles from North Korea or Iran, the first major defense government purchase of the administration of President Joe Biden, according to Bloomberg.
Lockheed Martin Corp. and Northrop Grumman Corp. they will take part in a competition for the development of next-generation interceptors. At the development stage, they will jointly receive $13.1 billion. After the "critical design review" stage, the selection process will begin. Presumably, the final winner will be determined by 2026. As a result, 31 interceptors should be created, including 10 for testing.
The Pentagon estimates that the cost of the production phase will be $ 2.3 billion, and long-term support costs will be another $ 2.3 billion.
"We are currently focused on the technology development phase," said Mark Wright, a spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency.
According to him, the new generation of interceptors should be developed "no later than 2028".
