Can NATO allies get enough Patriot missiles as US stockpiles shrink? | TheBriefWire
Can NATO allies get enough Patriot missiles as US stockpiles shrink?
Published 7 July 2026 · world
As NATO allies face pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase defence spending on American-made weapons, one of the most sought-after systems — the
As NATO allies face pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase defence spending on American-made weapons, one of the most sought-after systems — the Patriot interceptor missile — remains in critically short supply.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, each PAC-3 interceptor costs approximately $4.5m and takes months to produce, with only 620 units made last year. Washington's stockpiles have been further strained after an estimated 1,200 Patriots were fired during the war with Iran, and more than 600 sent to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022.
Lockheed Martin aims to raise annual production to 2,000 missiles by 2030, but until then the US must carefully apportion a limited supply between its own forces, Ukraine, Israel, and its NATO allies. Al Jazeera’s Julide Ayger explains.
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Published: July 8, 2026 • 2:23 AM IST · Updated: July 8, 2026 • 3:08 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points· Video
As NATO allies face pressure from US President Donald Trump to increase defence spending on American-made weapons, one of the most sought-after systems — the Patriot interceptor missile — remains in critically short supply.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, each PAC-3 interceptor costs approximately $4.5m and takes months to produce, with only 620 units made last year.
Washington's stockpiles have been further strained after an estimated 1,200 Patriots were fired during the war with Iran, and more than 600 sent to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022. Lockheed Martin aims to raise annual production to 2,000 missiles by 2030, but until then the US must carefully apportion a limited supply between its own forces, Ukraine, Israel, and its NATO allies.
Al Jazeera’s Julide Ayger explains.
Find us on Check our website Check out our Instagram page Download AJE Mobile App
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