Congress questions Pentagon’s ability to supply Ukraine with more Patriot interceptors

Washington is under renewed pressure over the supply of Patriot air defence interceptors to Ukraine, as lawmakers question whether the Pentagon can sustain or increase deliveries amid tightening global inventories.

According to The War Zone (TWZ), the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has ordered the Defence Department to assess the feasibility of boosting shipments of PAC-3 interceptors, citing concerns about production capacity and U.S. readiness.

The committee said it “recognises the importance of Patriot air defence systems and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors in supporting Ukraine’s self-defence and notes continued concerns regarding interceptor availability, production capacity, and the impact of transfers on United States military readiness.”

Lawmakers want detailed analysis of Ukraine’s needs over the next year, stockpile levels, and whether allied countries could contribute additional missiles through backfill arrangements. A report is due by 1 October 2026.

The debate comes as Ukraine faces sustained Russian missile and drone barrages and as Western stockpiles remain strained. According to CSIS, “there were about 2,500 Patriot interceptors in the U.S. inventory,” while “During the course of the conflict, between 1,060 and 1,430 Patriots were fired.”

The think tank also warned that “Because U.S. procurement in the last decade has averaged 225 missiles per year, deliveries from prior years will not be enough to fully replace expenditures,” adding that “For that, the United States will need to wait for the 3,203 Patriot missiles requested in the Army’s FY 2027 budget. These are projected to start delivery in May 2029.”

Lockheed Martin is expanding production, but uncertainty remains over allocation. Vice president Brian Dunn said the company “can’t tell anybody where you’re going to be on that [priority list],” adding: “We don’t control any of that.”

Ukrainian officials continue to warn that air defences are being stretched as Russian strikes intensify.

By Aghakazim Guliyev