HERNDON, Virginia., February 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect announced today that its Manufacturing Competence Center (MCC), located in Erpe-Mere, Belgium, has been selected by Raytheon, an RTX company, to support the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM®) Block II program. This is an important milestone for the MCC, which establishes itself as a European strategic partner in the production of advanced defense technologies for one of NATO’s most enduring cooperative security initiatives.
Operational since 1968, the ESSM® This program constitutes the longest-running cooperative smart defense initiative in NATO history and remains the cornerstone of international naval defense strategy.
MCC was selected due to its proven capabilities in managing highly complex and diverse production for the defense sector. It is AS/EN 9100 certified for aviation, space and defense, with manufacturing processes aligned with the rigorous quality standards required for critical programs like ESSM.®.
“At Raytheon, innovation is intrinsic to what we do, and we have found a partner in ST Engineering iDirect’s European Manufacturing Competence Center that operates from a shared strategic vision,” said Misty Holmes, vice president of shipboard missiles at Raytheon. “Together, we will combine cutting-edge technology with cutting-edge manufacturing to deliver unmatched capabilities to U.S., NATO, and allied navies around the world.”
“Being selected to support the ESSM® The Block II program demonstrates the Manufacturing Competence Center’s commitment to excellence and innovation, and highlights its reputation as a leading European facility for manufacturing high-reliability electronics products,” said Tom Hamelinckx, Plant Director at ST Engineering iDirect. “This collaboration highlights the strategic importance of Belgian manufacturing capabilities and reinforces our commitment to providing high-reliability solutions that meet the stringent requirements of the defense industry.”
“During our visit to Raytheon’s facilities in Tucson last October, we highlighted the importance of increasing Belgian participation in the ESSM.® Block II program. We are very pleased to see RTX translate this dialogue into concrete deliverables so quickly. Companies such as ST Engineering iDirect clearly demonstrate the potential and added value of the Belgian defense industry in major international programs such as Sea Sparrow,” said Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defense.
“To guarantee peace and security, this government and Minister Francken are investing structurally in defense. It is crucial to involve our own industry and build strategic autonomy. The contributions of ST Engineering iDirect are invaluable,” added Peter Buysrogge, chairman of the defense committee and alderman of Saint-Nicolas.
This collaboration with Raytheon further strengthens the MCC’s role in supporting European and global defense infrastructure and demonstrates the strategic value of Belgian manufacturing capabilities within the NATO alliance.
MCC has been recognized as a Factory of the Future four times, reflecting its commitment to innovation, digitalization and operational excellence. The facility integrates advanced testing capabilities, comprehensive traceability systems and robust supply chain management protocols to provide the accuracy and stability required for defense contracting applications.
ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technologies and solutions that enable its customers to grow their businesses, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. With more than 40 years of innovation focused on solving the most critical economic and technological challenges related to satellites, we are committed to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, named iDirect, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, enabling its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is a leader in key sectors such as mobility, broadcast and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was created to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information, visit www.idirect.net.
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SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect
