By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
The decision to divert missile deliveries originally intended for foreign buyers to Ukraine marks a significant move by the U.S., one that prioritizes immediate defense needs in Ukraine but might not be well-received by some international customers. This action, announced by the Biden administration, involves temporarily halting deliveries of Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) interceptors to countries other than Ukraine and Taiwan.
Patriot interceptors, limited in their compatibility to the Patriot system for now, and the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), which is integral to NASAMS and many Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreements, are at the center of this decision. The AMRAAM is a key component for Western air defense, being the most widely used beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Its diversion to Ukraine underscores the urgency of countering Russian aggression.
The White House’s directive aims to prioritize hundreds of missiles for Ukraine, responding to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. John Kirby, a National Security Council spokesman, clarified that while other nations will experience delays, the reallocation is temporary, extending through Fiscal Year 2025. Deliveries to Ukraine are expected to commence within weeks, aligning with the arrival of U.S.-made F-16s capable of carrying AMRAAMs.
In a recent press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder addressed the U.S. government’s decision to redirect AMRAAM and Patriot missiles, originally allocated for foreign military sales (FMS), to Ukraine. This move highlights the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts, prioritizing their immediate defense needs over pre-existing contracts with other foreign customers.
Maj. Gen. Ryder clarified the Pentagon’s role in this strategic realignment, emphasizing close collaboration with industry partners to manage the necessary contractual adjustments. The “resequencing of planned deliveries,” as Ryder termed it, involves a detailed reassessment and reorganization of missile distribution schedules to ensure that both Ukraine’s urgent requirements and the obligations to FMS clients are met efficiently.
Former Commanding General Army Futures Command, Ret. Gen. John Murray
While Taiwan remains unaffected due to its critical defense needs against an expanding Chinese threat, other Pacific allies like South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines will face delays. The Japanese government’s commitment to supply Patriot missiles produced under an American license and plans to produce GEM-T variants in Germany highlight efforts to mitigate the impact of these diversions.
The U.S. decision raises significant concerns about the sufficiency of its missile stockpiles. With constant consumption of these weapons in Ukraine and other conflict zones like the Red Sea, questions about future drawdowns from U.S. reserves are pertinent. The U.S. is projected to procure around 360 AMRAAMs during the same period as the diversion.
For U.S. allies awaiting interceptors, even a 16-month delay could erode trust in U.S. commitments. This could influence their future procurement decisions, especially if the Ukraine conflict prolongs. Despite reassurances from U.S. officials that Indo-Pacific deterrence will remain robust, the delay could impact the strategic calculus of allies facing their own regional threats.
The Biden administration’s decision, while strategically aimed at supporting Ukraine, brings to light the delicate balance of global defense commitments. It underscores the U.S.’s capacity to reallocate defense resources but also exposes the potential strain on its allies’ defense postures. Moving forward, it will be critical to monitor how this realignment influences both the operational readiness of U.S. allies and their confidence in the reliability of U.S. defense support.
The reallocation of Patriot and NASAMS interceptors to Ukraine is a decisive move that underscores the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst Russian aggression. However, it also brings into question the balance of defense resources and the impact on global military alliances. The coming months will reveal how effectively the U.S. can manage these challenges while maintaining the trust and readiness of its international partners.
