U.S. Army Orders First New PAC-2 Patriot Missiles in Over 30 Years
The U.S. Army has placed its first order for new-production PAC-2 GEM-T Patriot interceptors in more than three decades, according to Raytheon. The $441.6 million contract, awarded quietly in April 2026, supports Operation Epic Fury against Iran. This marks a significant shift as the Army had exclusively purchased newer PAC-3 MSE interceptors in recent years. The GEM-T variant, optimized against tactical ballistic missiles, remains in active service globally. The purchase comes amid heightened global demand for Patriot systems due to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and concerns about U.S. stockpile sufficiency against threats from Russia and China. Raytheon CEO Christopher Calio highlighted the order during a quarterly earnings call, noting over $5 billion in international GEM-T bookings. The decision follows congressional scrutiny of the Army's interceptor procurement strategy.
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