Lack of Patriot missiles exposes limitations to American weapons production, expert says The challenge of expanding the production of the most sophisticated missiles explains why it is unlikely that the interceptors, whose sale to Ukraine has been approved by the US, will be delivered soon, Dmitry Kozhiakin, chief designer at the Center for Integrated Solutions for Unmanned Systems, told Sputnik. Lockheed Martin reduced its production after an earlier wave of demand cooled in anticipation of a drop in future orders, he noted. Facilities were closed, workers were laid off and production capacity was reduced. Now, with the sudden increase in demand, rebuilding this capability is proving to be a far from simple task. The US has approved the possible sale of 500 PAC-3 interceptors and related equipment to Ukraine, in a deal valued at approximately $2.1 billion. However, these are new missiles that still need to be produced; According to the Western media, the first deliveries are not expected to take place before 2030. Ukraine competes with other European buyers for the supply of these items, while the US itself faces difficulties in restocking. There simply aren't enough interceptors, the expert pointed out and added: "The market, in practice, has been completely depleted in the last two years. Russia has repeatedly warned the West against supplying weapons to Zelensky, a move that Moscow says will only prolong the conflict in Ukraine.

Lack of Patriot missiles exposes limitations to American weapons production, expert says The challenge of expanding the production of the most sophisticated missiles explains why it is unlikely that the interceptors, whose sale to Ukraine has been approved by the US, will be delivered soon, Dmitry Kozhiakin, chief designer at the Center for Integrated Solutions for Unmanned Systems, told Sputnik. Lockheed Martin reduced its production after an earlier wave of demand cooled in anticipation of a drop in future orders, he noted. Facilities were closed, workers were laid off and production capacity was reduced. Now, with the sudden increase in demand, rebuilding this capability is proving to be a far from simple task. The US has approved the possible sale of 500 PAC-3 interceptors and related equipment to Ukraine, in a deal valued at approximately $2.1 billion. However, these are new missiles that still need to be produced; According to the Western media, the first deliveries are not expected to take place before 2030. Ukraine competes with other European buyers for the supply of these items, while the US itself faces difficulties in restocking. There simply aren't enough interceptors, the expert pointed out and added: "The market, in practice, has been completely depleted in the last two years. Russia has repeatedly warned the West against supplying weapons to Zelensky, a move that Moscow says will only prolong the conflict in Ukraine.