Give them SAMP/T NG. Cheaper, better, european!
While that’s true, PAC-2 GEM-T is basically the best defense against ballistic missiles you can get anywhere in the world. And the Iskander is a ballistic missile.
So, the real issue is that the EU and/or Ukraine need to start a crash development program based on the SAMP/T or similar non-US platform to match or exceed what the MIM-104 system can do.
Edit:
The article also points out that SAMP/T / Aster 30 had even worse supply constraints than Patriot munitions:
The Patriot is not the only air defense missile with anti-ballistic capabilities. France and Italy have the SAMP/T with its Aster 30 interceptors. Indeed, more EU states are turning to this system, as Denmark chose to do in September.
However, production of Aster 30s is “comparatively tiny,” Ridge said. And the Gulf states are requesting it too.
So another part of the equation is “figuring out how to get the EU to ramp up air defense production of all types by at least an order of magnitude”.
The ramp up is already happening. One of several sales arguments for the SAMP/T NG is the delivery time, which is faster than for Patriot systems. The scale-up for rocket production is happening, fast. And, will probably be accelerated by current events. Last but not least, here is a nice comparison between the two. Even if the US were a reliable partner, I think there are a lot of reasons to use the european system.
Very interesting - I was not aware of those recent developments and subtleties. Thanks for the links! 🍻