Patriot interceptor shortage limits air defense options for multiple countries

Russia conducted a large-scale air attack on Ukraine on Tuesday that included 73 missiles and nearly 700 drones. Ukrainian officials repeated requests for additional Patriot interceptors following the raid. The MIM-104 Patriot system is the main U.S. surface-to-air defense against ballistic missiles.

Individual batteries cost about $1 billion each, and interceptor missiles cost roughly $3 million apiece.

Production and stockpile status Lockheed Martin currently produces about 600 interceptors annually and has stated plans to increase output. One estimate indicates that nearly one-third of global Patriot interceptor stocks have been expended during recent operations.

Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the total supply of interceptors now stands at about 68 percent. He described a resulting "window of vulnerability" while inventories are rebuilt.

NATO countries Ukraine relies on the Patriot system to counter ballistic missiles, as no other system in its inventory performs that role. Officials have warned that current stock levels create an urgent need for resupply. Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Poland, and Sweden also operate the system.

NATO readiness planning now accounts for reduced interceptor availability amid assessments of Russian capabilities. "If we are talking about countering a ballistic threat, then, apart from the Patriot systems, there is currently nothing in Ukraine capable of shooting down ballistic missiles," said Yuri Ignat, spokesperson for Ukraine's air force.