USA and Ukraine are working on modernizing S-300 missiles
The upgraded missiles may start arriving in late 2026, but their production will amount to only 100-200 units per year. There is currently no official confirmation of the project.
The USA and Ukraine are jointly working on modernizing old missiles for S-300 air defense systems against the backdrop of a global shortage of Patriot interceptors. Retired U.S. Army Colonel, President of the military consulting company Delphi Global Research Center Robert Hamilton stated this on PBS NewsHour.
According to him, the project involves refurbishing or upgrading old S-300 missiles or their newer modifications to enhance combat capabilities.
"There is a joint American-Ukrainian initiative to modernize old S-300 missiles or the newer S-300 variant", Hamilton said.
The expert claims that upgraded missiles could be ready for use by the end of 2026. At the same time, production volumes will remain limited - approximately 100 or a few hundred units per year.
Hamilton explained that Patriot remains essentially the only system produced in relatively large quantities that is capable of effectively intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. European countries also have Patriot systems, but their interceptor stocks, in his estimation, are even smaller than American ones.
Patriot production will increase only in a few years
According to Hamilton, the USA currently produces about 600 Patriot missiles annually. Licensed production is also underway in Germany and Japan, but its volumes are significantly lower.
The U.S. government has concluded a $58 billion contract, which should increase total production to 2,000 interceptors per year. However, the first missiles under this program are expected only in early 2029, and the fulfillment of the entire contract will last until 2032.
Additional missiles for Ukraine can be purchased by NATO allies through the PURL program - Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List. This mechanism allows partners to pay for American weapons and transfer them to Ukraine.
At the same time, the war against Iran has significantly reduced American interceptor stocks. Hamilton cited an estimate according to which the number of Patriot missiles in the USA may have dropped from about 2,330 to 800 units. These data have not been officially confirmed by the U.S. authorities.
The expert also claims that Ukrainian forces have learned to use interceptors more sparingly over the years of war. According to him, Ukraine generally uses one Patriot missile against one target, while some U.S. allies in the Middle East reportedly launched between four and eight missiles against a single Iranian ballistic missile.
SAMP/T could become an alternative
The Franco-Italian SAMP/T systems could partly compensate for the Patriot shortage. According to Hamilton, France plans to transfer two batteries to Ukraine during 2026.
France and Italy are also working on a long-term project to increase the number of SAMP/T launchers and missiles for Ukraine. However, significantly ramping up production will take months or years.
Hamilton also expressed concern about the reduction of American stockpiles of long-range ATACMS missiles and the newer Precision Strike Missile. In his assessment, the intense use of munitions in the Middle East reduces the USA's ability to simultaneously respond to potential conflicts in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
Sources: PBS NewsHour
