Patriot SAM Proves Effectiveness in Ukraine, Drives Surge in Production

9 April, 2024 Launchers of the Patriot air defense system. Photo credits: Sgt.

1st Class Christopher Smith/U.S. Army

The Patriot anti-aircraft missile system proved its effectiveness in Ukraine and secured future sales and improvements. Manufacturers told Defense News that they are focused on increasing the production of missiles that the Patriot system uses as interceptors. According to the RTX Corporation, Patriot is currently in service in 19 countries, with more than 250 anti-aircraft missile systems in total.

Raytheon's President of Land and Air Defense Systems Tom Laliberty stated that the United States owns 85-90 of those, and the rest is distributed among the other 18 customer countries. "Given that our capacity supports the production of 12 fire units a year, there is sufficient capacity to support current as well as future contracts as they materialize," Laliberty noted.

The Ukrainian servicemen master the Patriot air defense system in Germany. February 2023.

Photo credits: Federal Ministry of Defence

The first surge in Patriot's popularity occurred in 2014, when the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine and annexed Crimea. "The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement weapons, made by Lockheed Martin, are the most capable missile variant used by the system," according to Defense News. Now 500 missiles are made a year, but there are plans to increase this number to 650.

Lockheed Martin is constructing a facility equipped with automated systems covering an area of almost 8,000 square meters for this purpose.

The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile for the Patriot air defense system.

Photo credits: lockheedmartin

Boeing also plans to speed up production of components, according to Jim Bryan, Director of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Boeing, which supplies seekers for PAC-3 MSE. Brian said Boeing increased its plant space last year, allowing increasing production by 30%.

Patriot air defense system of the German armed forces. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany

Many efforts by Lockheed and its suppliers to expand predated government funding.

Companies are counting on an increase in U.S. government spending in the coming years and an increase in orders from international customers.