06:39 17-02-2026

US Faces Shortage of Patriot Interceptor Missiles

A military expert says the US lacks modern Patriot interceptor missiles, with limited PAC-3 production and few options to supply more to Ukraine.

The United States is facing a shortage of modern interceptor missiles for its Patriot air defense systems, according to retired special forces colonel and military analyst Anatoly Matviychuk. He says Washington largely retains older versions of the interceptors, which are significantly less effective than the latest modifications.

Matviychuk argues that while the US still has some outdated Patriot missiles in stock, their technological limitations prevent them from countering the types of missiles Russian forces are using in strikes against Ukraine.

He also points to the limited production pace of the newer PAC-3 air defense missiles, saying they are being manufactured in insufficient quantities. At the same time, these interceptors are needed by the United States and its European allies for their own security requirements. According to the analyst, all the systems Washington was able to transfer to Kiev earlier have already been delivered.

In his assessment, European countries are not in a position to supply additional missiles to Ukraine, while the US has yet to decide whether it will continue selling such interceptors. Matviychuk suggests that the shortage of modern Patriot missiles highlights broader challenges facing European leaders and warns that this situation could further complicate the position of Ukrainian forces in the near term.