The Arms Race for Cheaper Anti-Ballistic Weapons Is Underway

The arms race for cheaper anti-ballistic weapons is underway

After years of a Patriot monopoly, new anti-ballistic alternatives are emerging. Officials hope to see some of them on the battlefield by the end of 2026.

US missile stocks shrink as Pentagon bets on cheaper weapons

The war with Iran is draining U.S. missile stockpiles, putting new scrutiny on the Pentagon’s effort to replenish its arsenal with cheaper weapons from defense technology startups. The clearest warning signs are in air defense. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates the U.S. has fewer than 827 Patriot interceptors from its most modern variants, down from roughly 2,300 before the war. The think tank also estimates the THAAD …