American Air Defense Surge Reshapes European Security Architecture

The United States has embarked on the most significant air defense transformation since the Cold War, fundamentally altering the strategic landscape that European nations must navigate. The quadrupling of Patriot missile procurement and the $175 billion Golden Dome initiative represent not just American policy shifts, but catalytic forces reshaping European defense strategy, industrial capacity, and alliance dynamics. Continue reading American Air Defense Surge Reshapes European Security Architecture

Unpacking the Price Tag: What is the Real Cost of a Patriot Missile System?

The Patriot Air and Missile Defense System, a cornerstone of Western air defense, is in higher demand than ever. As nations across Europe and the globe seek to bolster their security against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats, a key question arises: What is the actual cost of acquiring this advanced capability? Continue reading Unpacking the Price Tag: What is the Real Cost of a Patriot Missile System?

Patriot Missile Systems: Empirical Performance Data (2020-2025)

Patriot missile systems experienced extensive combat deployment and testing from 2020-2025, providing unprecedented empirical data on system performance. The most significant finding is the confirmed intercept of Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in Ukraine (May 2023), marking the first verified hypersonic missile intercept by any air defense system. However, performance data reveals substantial gaps between manufacturer claims and independently verified results, with success rates varying dramatically by threat type and operational conditions. Continue reading Patriot Missile Systems: Empirical Performance Data (2020-2025)

THAAD and ARROW vs. PATRIOT and SAMP/T

The world’s most sophisticated missile defense systems tell a story that extends far beyond their technical specifications. THAAD, Arrow, PATRIOT, and SAMP/T represent four distinct approaches to the same existential challenge: how to defend against increasingly sophisticated missile threats while navigating the complex realities of alliance politics, industrial sovereignty, and strategic deterrence. Continue reading THAAD and ARROW vs. PATRIOT and SAMP/T

European views on the Potential for Conventional War and the Need for Ground Based Air Defenses, 2000–2025

Eastern European countries saw the Russian threat coming and consistently documented this in official documents from the early 2000s. Western European powers were overly optimistic and had to dramatically correct course, first in 2014 and then sharply in 2022. Continue reading European views on the Potential for Conventional War and the Need for Ground Based Air Defenses, 2000–2025

The $100 Billion Shield: How Advanced Air Defense Systems Counter Modern Threats

Executive Summary Western nations have invested over $100 billion in advanced air defense systems that can intercept threats at ranges exceeding 200 kilometers. These systems, including the combat-proven Patriot, THAAD, and emerging laser weapons, form an integrated defensive network protecting millions of citizens and critical infrastructure. As hypersonic missiles and drone swarms emerge as new threats, NATO members are accelerating development of AI-enhanced detection systems … Continue reading The $100 Billion Shield: How Advanced Air Defense Systems Counter Modern Threats