Ukraine's Patriot missile supply at risk amid Middle East conflict
Photo: Patriot air defense system (GettyImages)
A new war in the Middle East could complicate Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian missile attacks. The use of air defense systems by the US and its allies in the region is leading to the rapid depletion of interceptor missile stocks, Politico reports.
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US actively using Patriot missiles
Since the beginning of the conflict, the US military and its allies in the Persian Gulf countries have used hundreds of Patriot missiles to intercept Iranian missiles and drones.
Analysts estimate that up to a thousand PAC-3 interceptors could have been used in the first weeks of hostilities.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense reported that Iran launched more than 1,475 drones, as well as 262 ballistic missiles and eight cruise missiles, at the country's territory.
Most of these targets were destroyed by air defense systems, including Patriot complexes and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.
Ukraine warns of risk of shortage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the problem of a shortage of missiles for air defense existed before. However, the new conflict could significantly worsen the situation.
According to him, the war in the Middle East will reduce the chances of obtaining more missiles for Ukrainian air defense.
European officials also fear that Vladimir Putin may try to take advantage of the situation and intensify attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure while the attention of the US and its allies is focused on another conflict.
Missile production cannot keep up with demand
The American defense company Lockheed Martin has already agreed to increase the production of missiles for Patriot systems by almost three times, from approximately 600 to about 2,000 units per year. However, experts note that it will take several years to fully ramp up production.
Before the major conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the US produced about 270 such missiles annually, which is significantly less than current needs.
Europe discusses its own arms production
Some European officials are expressing concern about possible changes in the Donald Trump administration's policy on military support for Ukraine. They suggest that the amount of aid may be revised.
Against this backdrop, there is increasing talk in Europe about the need to develop its own defense industry.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said that the region needs its own industrial base for arms production so that Ukraine can obtain air defense systems more quickly.
In the early days of the conflict in the Middle East, Israel and its allies used about 800 Patriot missiles to intercept Iranian targets. For comparison, Ukraine has received about 600 such missiles during the entire war.
Germany and its allies have assembled PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems for Ukraine, and they are now on their way to the country. However, as noted, these deliveries are unlikely to have a significant impact on the situation at the front, as their supplies will only last for about two weeks.
