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Europe Is Running Short of Patriot Missiles And Looks For New Ways to Supply Ukraine
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Europe is facing a shortage of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems as existing stocks decline and production struggles to keep pace with demand, Babel reported on November 13.
An EU official familiar with the issue told Babel on condition of anonymity that the problem affects both Ukraine and European countries seeking to replenish their own inventories.
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Ukraine’s need for Patriot interceptors has become more acute as global demand has surged, particularly during the 2026 war with Iran. UNITED24 Media reported that US and allied forces fired nearly 1,300 PAC-3 interceptors in just 16 days, further straining global stocks at a time when Ukraine continues to require large numbers of missiles to defend against Russian ballistic attacks.
According to the official, manufacturers are gradually increasing missile production, but current output remains insufficient to meet demand.
The shortage has left European governments trying to balance their own air defense requirements with continued support for Ukraine as Russia maintains attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
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The EU is continuing to urge countries with available resources to provide additional Patriot interceptors to Ukraine, while considering giving donor states priority in future weapons allocations to help replenish missiles transferred from their own stocks, Babel reported.
Babel reported that European officials are considering such mechanisms as a way to sustain deliveries to Ukraine while helping donor countries rebuild their depleted stocks.
Europe’s Patriot shortage is already affecting Ukraine’s access to additional interceptors. In November, reports stated that European PAC-2 and PAC-3 stocks had fallen to minimal levels, with significant relief unlikely before late 2027 as new production orders begin to arrive.
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