White House Prioritizes Air Defense Interceptors for Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

 

The United States has moved Ukraine to the top of the list for receiving air defense interceptors, a vital weapon for Ukraine’s self-defense. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced this adjustment during a briefing, describing it as a “difficult but necessary” decision. In the short term, Patriot and NASAMS interceptors initially destined for other countries will be redirected to Ukraine.

Kirby mentioned that this would delay deliveries to other countries currently awaiting these interceptors. However, Ukraine is expected to receive hundreds of these air defense weapons by the end of summer, which should suffice for the next 16 months. After this period, the countries waiting for their interceptors will start receiving their orders.

Kirby clarified that these countries will still receive their ordered missiles, but the delivery will be delayed. He did not specify which countries would face delays but assured that Taiwan and Israel would not be affected.

Lockheed Martin, fully funded by the U.S. Army, is producing 550 PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles annually and reached a production rate of 500 per year in December 2023. Although the Army has not funded further increases, Lockheed has internally invested to produce 650 interceptors annually. In 2023, Lockheed signed six letters of approval with international customers.

Nineteen countries currently use the Raytheon-made Patriot system, and this customer base is expanding. Switzerland purchased five batteries and 75 missiles in November 2022, and Romania plans to buy more units. Additionally, at least two other European countries are close to announcing Patriot purchases, with Slovakia and Germany showing interest.

This decision marks one of the most significant measures the U.S. has taken to support Ukraine since the full-scale war with Russia began two years ago. Pentagon leaders have prioritized air defense for countries backing Kyiv, as evidenced by recent actions. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of air defense during a June press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, following a meeting of countries coordinating support for Ukraine.

Reports indicated that the U.S. was sending another Patriot system to Ukraine, though neither Austin nor Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown confirmed this. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in June that his country needs seven Patriot systems. Germany and the Netherlands have committed to sending Patriot systems, and other countries have pledged different air defense systems like NASAMS.

Austin noted that Ukraine needs various capabilities, not just Patriots, and the interceptors to support them. Despite their importance, air defense batteries and interceptors are in short supply. The U.S. and its allies have been sourcing extra weapons to support Ukraine amid drone and missile attacks. This recent decision highlights the tight supply chain for these systems, leading to a reordering rather than an expansion of capacity.

Tom Karako, an air defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized the need to expand inventory, noting that funds meant to increase capacity from the April national security supplemental haven’t been spent yet. This package includes around $48 billion for military aid to Ukraine, though the amount for air defense isn’t specified.

Kirby did not detail which countries would be affected by the reshuffle but assured that Washington would minimize delays. He acknowledged that each country’s circumstances would differ based on their orders and self-defense needs.