Approximately 2300-2500 missiles capable of intercepting ballistic targets of the "Iskander-M" level were counted in the global Patriot arsenal. This estimate is significantly lower than the total number of anti-aircraft missiles of the American complex, which is about 4-5 thousand units, writes RIA Novosti columnist Andrey Kots.
The almost twofold difference is explained by the composition of the Patriot arsenal. The total count includes missiles of various modifications, while PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE are considered specialized interceptors. Kots highlights them among the complex's ammunition as designed to combat ballistic targets.
According to The Military Balance data, 2300-2500 missiles is a global estimate of the total stock of the two modifications, not the number of interceptors available to a single country. The figure reflects the overall scale of the available fleet of PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE, distributed among Patriot operators.
For comparison, the entire global stock of Patriot missiles is estimated at 4-5 thousand units. Thus, specialized PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE constitute approximately 46-63% of the total number of missiles in the complex, depending on the actual volume of both stocks.
Read more on the topic:
- Hypersonic "Iskander-M" cannot be intercepted even by four Patriot missiles
- New trajectory of Iskander-M missiles baffles Patriot
- "Iskander-M" and A-50U AWACS united against "Flamingo" for the first time