The arms race for cheaper anti-ballistic weapons is underway
By Katie Livingstone
Thursday, Jul 30, 2026
KYIV, Ukraine — The race for a new anti-ballistic system has begun.
After decades of relying on the U.S.-made Patriot interceptor system and its hit-to-kill PAC-3 munition as the most proven air defense against ballistic missiles, three new tracks are now leveraging international cooperation and a dire global need to develop and manufacture cheaper interceptor platforms.
Some officials, meanwhile, are hoping the sense of urgency leads to the fielding of the first new prototypes by the end of 2026 — years faster than today’s Patriots can be made.
It’s an ambitious ask.
The missile defense world has long described the mechanics behind anti-ballistic defense as akin to hitting a bullet out of the sky with another bullet, multiplied in difficulty by the number of simultaneous air threats coming in — a stark reminder of the mass air raids seen today in Iran and Ukraine that stretch air defenses to the breaking point.
https://www.militarytimes.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/30/the-arms-race-for-cheaper-anti-ballistic-weapons-is-underway/
