Story · U.S. Army
U.S. Army Orders Older PAC-2 Patriot Missiles for First Time in Decades Amid Global Demand Surge
The U.S. Army has placed its first order for new-production PAC-2 GEM-T Patriot interceptors in over 30 years, according to Raytheon. The $441.6 million contract, awarded quietly in April 2026, supports Operation Epic Fury against Iran. This marks a shift from recent procurement focused solely on newer PAC-3 MSE missiles. The decision comes amid heightened global demand for Patriot systems driven by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and concerns over U.S. stockpile sufficiency against threats from Russia and China. GEM-T missiles, while less capable than PAC-3 variants, offer flexibility when mixed on launchers. The House Armed Services Committee had questioned the Army's previous lack of PAC-2 procurement in a June 2026 report.
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