Patriot missile is fired during PATRIOT SPARK 23 exercise at the Black Sea training range in Capu Midia, Constanta, Romania, November 15, 2023. INQUAM PHOTOS/George Calin
Business Insider: Fears grow that Ukraine could run out of US-supplied Patriot missiles
* Fears are growing that the US will cease Patriot missile supplies to Ukraine.
* The US may soon find the supply of the expensive interceptor missiles unsustainable.
* As Congress threatens future Patriot supplies, it is hoped NATO can fill the gap.
The White House and the Pentagon have warned that the supply of Patriot interceptor missiles may soon be unsustainable due to their substantial cost of around $2 million to $4 million each, The New York Times reported.
As Russia intensifies its winter bombardment with a diverse range of missiles and drone weapons, Ukrainian defenses are reliant on Patriot missiles, which have proven to be highly effective against Putin's top weapons.
On Tuesday, Ukraine said it shot down all 10 of the new Kinzhals fired during a vicious air assault, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine praising the incident as "what heroism supplied with advanced systems looks like."
Read more ....
Update #1: Ukraine’s Patriot Defenses at Work: Shuddering Booms and Bursts of Light (DNYUZ/New York Times)
Update #2: US warns of limited supply of Patriot missiles to Ukraine — NYT (The New Voice of Ukraine)
WNU Editor: This is the key line from the New York Times ....
.... But White House and Pentagon officials have warned that the United States will soon be unable to keep Ukraine’s Patriot batteries supplied with interceptor missiles, which can cost $2 million to $4 million apiece.
Update #3: NATO is stepping up to solve this "missile shortage" .... NATO to help buy 1,000 Patriot missiles to defend allies as Russia ramps up air assault on Ukraine (AP).
The cost of one of those missiles is what Russia spends on a battle tank. Expensive war for us, unless we actually do steal all that Russian money next month. But that bad decision in the making will end up costing us even more in the end.
ReplyDeleteUkies say they shot down all the hypersonic missiles. What was it two weeks ago.?? Ukie air force commander said Patriots were useless agains hypersonic missiles.
ReplyDeleteSo which is it.?
Maybe the ukies just got the "ghost of Kiev" missile upgrade?
Euros just bought 5 billion worth of Patriot missiles for the ukies. But question is , when will they get to the Ukraine? Any hoo, guess you got to try.
The Israelis use the same system and they are kind of maxed out for some reason. So in order to supply Israel, I do not think the US or the Raytheon plant can keep up, at least in 2024.