The U.S. military is facing a severe shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, with current stockpiles reportedly at only 25% of the level required for potential conflicts. -This depletion, exacerbated by the recent defense of Al Udeid Air Base against an Iranian missile barrage and extensive aid to Ukraine,

The American-made Patriot surface-to-air missile system has been a workhorse for Kyiv in defending against Russian attacks.

The U.S. Army is planning to allocate more than $1.3 billion toward the purchase of Patriot air-defense missiles in the upcoming fiscal year, and has quietly raised its long-term acquisition target for the advanced interceptors by more than fourfold,