How the United States Can Address Its Shortage of Missile Interceptors

The United States faces a challenge in maintaining adequate stockpiles of missile interceptors amid rising demand and limited production capacity. This strain is evident across multiple systems, with concerns over dwindling Patriot interceptor inventories and the high usage rate of the THAAD system. The war in Ukraine has also contributed to concerns that U.S. interceptor inventories are insufficient for current and future needs. Experts are exploring potential solutions for what the United States should do to address this critical defense shortage.