Raytheon-Rafael Joint Venture Secures Major $1.25 Billion Defense Contract

Major Milestone for R2S Joint Venture

On November 21, 2025, the Raytheon-Rafael Protection Systems (R2S) joint venture made headlines by securing a $1.25 billion contract to produce Tamir surface-to-air missiles for Israel. This monumental contract is a landmark achievement in enhancing air defense capabilities amid increasing global security challenges.

The contract focuses on delivering not only the missiles but also missile kits and necessary testing equipment, significantly contributing to the Israel Missile Defense Organization’s (IMDO) efforts to bolster defense systems through the accelerated production of Iron Dome interceptors. This comes in response to the urgent need for effective missile defense mechanisms amidst rising threats in the region.

The new manufacturing facility, which opened in early November in East Camden, Arkansas, is a culmination of a $33 million investment aimed at ramping up the production capabilities to match the increasing demand for air defense systems both in Israel and for its U.S. counterparts. The site has become vital to support the production of the Iron Dome Weapon System and its American variant, SkyHunter®, which is designed for the Marine Corps' Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) program.

In a statement, Jonathan Casey, CEO of R2S, emphasized the significance of this contract, referring to it as the