Germany backs MEADS defence system over Patriot

Defense News: July 9 (Reuters) - A German government internal report obtained by Reuters on Friday states a preference for the U.S.-European MEADS missile development programme over the Patriot system.

MEADS is being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) of the United States, Europe's EADS(EAD.PA), Britain's BAE Systems (BAES.L) and Italy's Finmeccanica (SIFI.MI). Patriot is run by Raytheon Co (RTN.N) of the United States.

The report prepared by German's defence ministry said the Patriot system was "not a worthwhile alternative in economic nor operation terms". (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; writing by Stephen Brown)