With the shortage of US missiles constantly making headlines since the beginning of the conflict in Iran, that has now spread to the entire West Asian theatre, the US Army has placed its first order in three decades for the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) GEM-T missiles fired by the Patriot system. The Patriot system, which is the backbone of American and allied air defence, has traditionally relied on two families of interceptors, which are the older PAC-2 series produced by Raytheon and the more advanced PAC-3 variants manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The PAC-3 variant of the missile first entered operational service in 2002, serving alongside the PAC-2, according to the Washington DC based Center for Strategic and International Studies.For years, procurement focused almost exclusively on PAC-3, but the sheer demand created by Ukraine, Israel, Gulf states and now due tom US operations against Iran. This demand has forced a return to PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-T (GEM-T), the ‘T’ suffix denotes the effectiveness against ballistic missile threats. These missiles were ordered in the mid-1990s according to the US based missile defense advocacy alliance.The contract, valued at $441 million, marks the first domestic PAC-2 order in over thirty years. It follows Operation Epic Fury against Iran and comes amid concerns that US and allied forces may not have sufficient interceptors to sustain ongoing conflicts. Analysts estimate that between 1,060 and 1,430 Patriot interceptors were fired in 2026 alone, according to US based The War Zone. This demand has created bottlenecks in the supply chain, delaying deliveries to Switzerland and raising concerns in Germany, Japan, Poland and Saudi Arabia. Ukraine’s reliance on Patriots to counter Russian missile barrages has further intensified pressure on production lines. Many other partner nations of the US have been procuring the PAC-2 variant this includes Ukraine, Germany, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland.Technically, the GEM-T variant of the Patriot missile family represents the most advanced evolution of the PAC-2 line. This variant of the missile commes with improved seekers and fuzes that are tailored for defence against tactical ballistic missiles. While being less sophisticated than the newer PAC-3 MSE, which costs over $5 million per missile, GEM-Ts are cheaper and larger, offering a practical solution to replenish depleted interceptor inventories. A missile launcher can mix both the PAC-2 and the PAC-3 interceptors, allowing commanders to tailor responses to specific threats. Raytheon has expanded GEM-T production, including through a joint facility in Germany, while Lockheed Martin is ramping up PAC-3 output and introducing a lower-cost PAC-3 ACE variant.Parallel to this, the Department of War has announced two landmark seven-year framework agreements with L3Harris and Lockheed Martin to expand production capacity for PAC-3 MSE and THAAD systems. L3Harris will accelerate production of advanced two-pulse solid rocket motors, Attitude Control Motors and Lethality Enhancers for PAC-3 MSE, while also scaling up propulsion components for THAAD, including the solid rocket boost motor and the highly responsive Liquid Divert and Attitude Control System. These agreements follow earlier framework deals with Boeing and Honeywell, aimed at strengthening the industrial base for critical missile defence systems.The US Congress has pressed the Pentagon for clarity on interceptor sufficiency and modernisation plans, reflecting bipartisan concern that current production rates cannot keep pace with operational demand. The Army’s decision to procure GEM-Ts highlights both the urgency of expanding stockpiles and the need to diversify supply chains. While the PAC-3 remains the cutting edge of US air defence missile inventory, it is the GEM-Ts that provide a faster, more affordable way to bridge critical shortages. Along with expanded PAC-3 and THAAD production, the move underscores the broader challenge facing US and allied munitions supply chains, which may take years to stabilise given simultaneous conflicts and global demand.
