NATO commander rushes to send new Patriot systems to Ukraine

NATO’s top commander, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, is accelerating the transfer of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. He stated, “I won’t go into a ton of details on any of that,” to prevent revealing specifics to adversaries. Discussions are underway with European nations to facilitate quicker delivery of these systems.

A total of 19 countries have purchased the Raytheon-made weapon, and there are just about more than 250 Patriot fire units around the world. The U.S. Army plans to build a new Patriot battery to replace the ones sent to Ukraine and secure an additional battalion’s worth of systems. Raytheon’s production lines can manufacture 12 fire units annually, sufficient for current and future contracts.

The company aims to deliver 650 PAC-3 MSE missiles per year by 2027, currently producing about 550 annually. Lockheed is exploring ways to reach 650 missiles yearly sooner, said Jason Reynolds, vice president of missiles and fire control advanced programs, at LandEuro.

The company is also improving efficiencies to increase capacity to around 750 missiles per year by 2027. Although the government hasn’t set a maximum production level, Reynolds projected over 1,000 missiles annually in future years, with even higher numbers thereafter.

The U.S. is enhancing its own capabilities as it sends Patriot systems for the first time since April 2023. Lockheed Martin is ramping up production of PAC-3 MSE interceptors and aims to reach 650 missiles per year by 2027. Grynkewich emphasized the need for coordination as they prepare to provide Ukraine with essential defense systems.