Patriot system logistics pose challenges for US military readiness
The Patriot anti-aircraft system was designed for air transport of all its components. Deploying a battalion to a volatile region of the world highlights the significant challenge of global air transport. How many aircraft are needed to transport a Patriot battalion?
The issue concerning the strategic mobility of the Patriot system was reported by the commander of USINDOPACOM (U.S. Indo-Pacific Command – the command responsible for the Indo-Pacific region), Admiral Samuel Paparo.
Admiral Paparo referred to an incident where, due to the American campaign against the Houthis, it became necessary to transport a battalion of the Patriot anti-aircraft system to the Middle East.
This particular battalion consists of four batteries, each including six to eight launchers, along with a radar and a battle management module (ECS). Transporting these forces to the Middle East required as many as 73 flights by C-17 transport aircraft. The United States possesses around 220 of these aircraft, and their production has already ceased.
Too few aircraft and ships
According to Admiral Paparo, moving weapons over long distances by air requires not only transport aircraft but also an air tanker fleet, which, in his opinion, the United States lacks in sufficient numbers.
There is also the problem of maritime transport. The American commander noted that the current fleet of transport ships available to the U.S. armed forces is able to meet 60 per cent of the supply demand.
The gap is filled by using civilian carriers, but this is only a temporary measure because, in the event of war, the Pentagon will need to rely on its own resources. Meanwhile, 17 military supply ships remain idle due to a shortage of crews.
Problem with replenishing supplies
An issue revealed by the campaign against the Houthis (conducted in the operational area of another command – USCENTCOM) is the rapidly depleting stockpile of various kinds of guided missiles. This also affects the reserves accumulated in anticipation of conflict, which, according to American commanders, are becoming outdated due to their age.
Replenishing them, given the limitations in production and transportation, may prove challenging. As noted by Admiral Paparo, logistics, especially in a vast area like the Indo-Pacific, will become a very serious challenge for the United States in the event of a conflict with China.
