The conflict in the Middle East is significantly reshaping military strategies and global security balances, calling into question the effectiveness and cost of modern defense systems.
On the one hand, US President Donald Trump has signaled a possible US withdrawal from NATO, while on the other hand, protracted conflicts and rising costs are pushing European countries to reconsider their dependence on US military technology. The EU's first Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has warned that Europe must reduce its dependence on US air defence systems. He stressed that US industry is unable to produce enough missiles to cover both needs in Europe and the Middle East.
According to him, during the recent clashes in the Persian Gulf, hundreds of Patriot interceptor missiles have been consumed, at a rate that exceeds the annual production of the US. The first signs of this strategic shift are visible. Switzerland is reviewing the decision to purchase the Patriot system due to delays in delivery, while Poland has refused to send a battery of this system to the Middle East. Meanwhile, reports of the relocation of Patriot systems from the base in Germany to countries such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about gaps in the protection of NATO's eastern flank.
In this climate, the European Union is pushing forward the development of domestic alternatives, such as the SAMP/T (Mamba) system, which is considered the main alternative to the Patriot. The new version of this system is expected to be in service by the end of 2026. Industry giants such as MBDA and Diehl Defence are increasing missile production, while the EU aims to massively finance this sector to increase strategic autonomy.
One of the main lessons of modern warfare is the disproportion between the cost of weapons. Systems like the Patriot, which cost millions of dollars for each interceptor missile, are increasingly being used to neutralize cheap drones. This has raised serious questions about the economic viability of these systems in long-term conflicts. The Patriot system uses advanced radar to detect aerial threats and launch interceptor missiles that destroy the target using the “hit-to-kill” method. It is part of a multi-layered defense that also includes systems like THAAD, which operates at higher altitudes.
Recent developments show that the American “umbrella” is no longer unlimited. As missile stocks dwindle and global demand increases, Europe is facing an urgent need to build its own capabilities. According to Kubilius, the challenge is no longer just technology, but the ability to mass produce to withstand a long and grueling war—a new reality for global security in 2026.
