Iran war drives multi-year missile defense gap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged President Trump to provide interceptors to counter expected Russian missile barrages. Iran has been prioritized, and analysis indicates it will take years to replace munitions expended in that conflict. A CSIS report says the United States used so many interceptors from systems such as Patriot and THAAD that stockpiles will not be replenished until 2029, assuming the war does not resume. The U.S. received only 172 Patriot interceptors in fiscal year 2026 while using more than 1,000 during the Iran war. Zelensky warned that Ukraine relies almost exclusively on the United States for ballistic missile defense and described the pain of Patriot batteries with no missiles loaded. Russia carried out large missile strikes on Kyiv, including cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, and warned foreigners to leave the city ahead of further attacks.

"Zelensky wrote to Trump urgently requesting interceptors to knock down expected Russian missile barrages. But Iran has taken top priority, and a new analysis suggests it will take years to replace munitions expended in that war. A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) finds that the U.S. used so many interceptors from missile defense systems like Patriot and THAAD in the Middle East that stockpiles won't be replenished until 2029."

"The math is stark. The U.S. took delivery of just 172 Patriot interceptors in fiscal year 2026 and has used more than 1,000 in the Iran war, according to CSIS. Production targets in the coming years are much higher. The Pentagon insists it's maintained enough capability to defend the homeland and prosecute the Iran war successfully. But international partners who rely on U.S. weaponry are in a deeply uncomfortable position."

"When it comes to defending against ballistic missiles, we rely almost exclusively on the United States. U.S.-made Patriot systems have shown a remarkable ability to swat down Russian salvos, he added, but there is hardly anything more painful to see than Patriot batteries with no missiles loaded. Zelensky also warned that Russia’s planned attacks target decision-making centers and drone production facilities."

"Russia used 54 cruise, 30 ballistic and three hypersonic missiles in the weekend attacks, Zelensky told Trump. Zelensky’s appeal to Trump followed massive strikes on Kyiv last Saturday and a Russian warning to all foreigners to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of planned attacks on decision-making centers and drone production facilities. Ukrainian officials are already very concerned about their inability to defend against Russian attacks on energy infrastructure this upcoming."

Read at Axios