US to ramp up Patriot missile purchase for its forces in Middle East, Ukraine support

The U.S. Army plans to spend more than $1.3 billion on Patriot missile systems in the fiscal year beginning October 1, significantly ramping up procurement of the advanced air defense weapon amid heightened demand from both Ukraine and U.S. forces in the Middle East.

According to budget documents tied to the Army’s fiscal 2026 request, a high-level panel of senior Army officials overseeing armament requirements quietly increased the service’s acquisition target for the most advanced Patriot interceptor from 3,376 to 13,773 units, Caliber.Az reports, citing Bloomberg.

The change, approved on April 16, reflects a fourfold surge in planned purchases of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE), the latest iteration of the system manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp.

Ukraine has relied heavily on Patriot batteries and missiles, known as interceptors, from the US and allies to defend its population centers against Russian assaults. The US has provided Ukraine with three Patriot batteries and an unspecified number of interceptors since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.

President Donald Trump has confirmed that he’s sending more defensive weapons to Ukraine, sweeping aside an earlier administration decision to halt deliveries, as he criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for “killing too many people.”

Although the panel’s recommendations do not directly translate into immediate contracts or funding commitments, they are expected to influence congressional deliberations as lawmakers shape defense policy and appropriations bills.

The PAC-3 MSE is capable of intercepting a range of aerial threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. It has emerged as a critical component of U.S. and allied air and missile defense strategies, particularly in light of recent conflict zones. L3Harris Technologies Inc. supplies the interceptor’s solid rocket motor.

The Patriot system has seen active deployment in several theaters. In the Middle East, U.S. forces have used the system to support Israel and to defend key American installations, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The base came under attack in April, when Iran launched a retaliatory missile barrage following strikes on its nuclear facilities.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauded U.S. forces for their performance during the incident, stating that American troops “absolutely crushed it” by intercepting 14 incoming Iranian missiles.

By Khagan Isayev