According to The New York Times, sources in the White House and the Pentagon have reported that the United States may have a problem with supplying Ukraine with missiles for Patriot systems due to financial difficulties. The cost of each interceptor missile for these systems is estimated at $2 to $4 million.
The news about restrictions on the supply of missiles received additional emphasis due to Japan's decision to amend the rules for the export of defense equipment. Japan can now become a key supplier of missiles for the US Patriot systems, including exporting finished equipment, rather than just components, as was the case previously.
The decision fits into the larger context of Japan's military buildup and its strategic cooperation with the United States to ensure security in the region, especially in response to threats from China and North Korea.
The PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles, which are intended for the Patriot systems, are already in use in air defense systems, which are reportedly deployed in Ukraine. These systems have a powerful radar that can track more than 100 targets simultaneously and provide data to target interceptors, making them effective in electronic jamming environments.”
