Anduril Says It Could Build Steelfin Interceptor Missiles in Europe
US defense firm says Poland could become a partner as European governments seek to expand air defense production
By AXY Defense Desk ·
Key points
- Anduril’s vice president for Europe, Brian Moran, said the company could eventually manufacture its Steelfin interceptor missiles in Europe, with Poland a key focus.
- Steelfin is due to undergo flight testing in 2027, and no production agreement or timetable has been announced.
- Wars in Ukraine and the Gulf have strained interceptor missile stocks and caused delivery delays, driving interest in regional production.
- Moran said local production brings costs and longer timelines, and that military outcomes matter more than economic benefits.
U.S. defense firm Anduril could eventually manufacture its newly unveiled Steelfin interceptor missiles in Europe, a company executive said this week. Brian Moran, Anduril’s vice president for Europe, told Reuters that he hoped Steelfin could become a capability the company develops with its Polish customer and Polish industry. The remarks point to a possible new role for European production at a time when governments are racing to rebuild stocks of air defense missiles.
Moran did not announce a factory, a contract or a production timetable. His comments were framed as aspirations rather than commitments. “We would definitely consider engaging European partners and customers on this capability,” he said. Anduril has said Steelfin is due to undergo flight testing in 2027, which means any European manufacturing plans would depend on a system that has not yet completed its first flight trials.
What an Interceptor Missile Does
An interceptor is a missile designed to destroy an incoming threat, such as an enemy missile, rocket or aircraft, before it reaches its target. Air defense systems usually combine radars, command centers and launchers with one or more types of interceptor. The choice of interceptor matters because each one is expensive, and the most capable missiles can cost far more than the drones or short-range rockets they are often used against.
According to Moran, Anduril sees Steelfin as a complementary system that could offer a more affordable interceptor alongside existing missile defense systems such as the Patriot, a US-made air defense system used by a number of allied countries, and others. In plain terms, that means Steelfin would not necessarily replace established systems. Instead, it would be designed to fill part of the defensive job at a lower cost per shot, which could matter if militaries need to fire large numbers of missiles over a sustained period.
Why Interceptor Shortages Matter
The interest in producing interceptors closer to Europe follows a period of heavy use. Wars in Ukraine and the Gulf have strained stocks of air defense interceptor missiles and caused delivery delays, according to the reporting. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has required Ukraine and its partners to defend cities and infrastructure against long-range missiles and drones over several years, drawing down supplies that are made by a small number of manufacturers.
When stockpiles fall, the problem is not only about money. Production lines for advanced missiles often take years to expand, and components such as rocket motors, seekers and explosives can become bottlenecks. Analysts widely expect that governments will continue to push for more domestic and regional production, because waiting for distant suppliers can leave armed forces exposed during a crisis. A company that can make a cheaper interceptor closer to the customer could, in theory, shorten delivery times and reduce that exposure, although this would depend on the company actually securing orders and building capacity.
Poland at the Center of the Plan
Poland is the most immediate focus of Anduril’s European ambitions. The company is already in talks to establish production in Poland of its Barracuda-500 cruise missile, and Moran said that experience could open the door to additional manufacturing projects. “We’re having a very good experience with our industry partner here, PGZ,” he said. PGZ is Poland’s state-owned arms group. Moran also said discussions were under way with the defense ministry and other government agencies.
Poland is one of NATO’s top defense spenders relative to the size of its economy, according to the reporting, and it is seeking to expand domestic arms production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. NATO is the transatlantic military alliance that includes the United States and most European countries. For Warsaw, the goal is not only to buy weapons faster but also to build industrial capacity that can be sustained over decades. That makes a partnership with a foreign firm attractive only if it brings jobs, know-how and production inside Poland.
Moran said talks with PGZ, its WZL-2 unit and the government were focused on balancing local production with delivery speed and Poland’s specific military requirements. That balance is the central tension. Building a missile locally can strengthen an industrial base, but it can also take longer than importing finished systems, and it may require new supply chains, training and certification.
The Debate Over Defense Sovereignty
Asked about growing calls in Europe for defense industrial sovereignty, Moran said the term could mean different things. In broad terms, sovereignty refers to a country’s ability to make its own decisions about its military capabilities without depending on outside suppliers. Moran listed several possible meanings, from security of supply and maintenance capabilities to control over software upgrades and future modifications. Each of these carries a different price and a different level of independence.
“Sovereignty has a cost. There’s a cost to localization. There’s cost in terms of timing and just schedule. And those need to be considered in light of the threats that Europe collectively is facing,” Moran said. His remarks suggest that the US company sees local production as valuable but not automatically better, particularly if it slows deliveries of weapons that are needed quickly.
Moderate observers of European defense policy generally describe a similar tradeoff. European governments want to reduce dependence on any single foreign supplier, yet they also need interceptors now. A missile produced in Europe may be easier to maintain and upgrade locally, while a missile imported from abroad may be available sooner. Few governments can fully satisfy both goals at once, so most are likely to pursue a mix of imports, licensed production and joint ventures.
Economic Benefits and the Military Outcome
Moran said governments also want economic benefits from defense spending, such as jobs and industrial growth. However, he argued that the military outcome is the most important factor. He added that greater localization can come with additional costs and longer timelines. For a public that pays for these programs through taxes, that means the questions are not only about where a missile is built, but also how quickly it arrives, how much it costs and whether it works as intended when needed.
The economic argument is often part of the political case for local production. Building missiles in Poland or elsewhere in Europe could support skilled employment and suppliers. Yet a factory that produces too slowly may not meet urgent demand, and a program that is delayed can leave gaps in air defense. Analysts expect that defense ministries will weigh these tradeoffs case by case rather than adopting a single rule.
What to Watch Next
Several developments will show whether Steelfin moves from an idea to a European production program. The most important near-term milestone is flight testing, which Anduril has scheduled for 2027. Results from those trials will influence whether governments see Steelfin as a credible low-cost complement to established systems. Any agreement with Polish authorities, PGZ or other partners would also signal how seriously the company is pursuing local manufacturing.
The outcome of Anduril’s talks on the Barracuda-500 cruise missile in Poland may also serve as a test case. If that project progresses, it could show whether Anduril can build relationships with European industry and governments that support further projects. If it stalls, it could highlight the difficulties of balancing local production with delivery speed. Either way, the discussions reflect a broader trend: European governments are looking for ways to strengthen their defense industries while still acquiring capabilities quickly. For now, Anduril’s plans for Steelfin in Europe remain at an early stage, and the company has not announced a binding agreement to produce the missile on the continent.
Topics: Anduril, Steelfin interceptor, Poland, PGZ, Brian Moran, air defense, defense industry, Barracuda-500
Sources: Defense News