Europe Buys U.S. Patriot Systems Instead of Building Its Own Missile Defense

In late August 2025, the U.S. State Department approved two significant Foreign Military Sales concerning the Patriot air defense system. Denmark secured authorization for an $8.5 billion acquisition of Integrated Battle Command System-enabled Patriot units, including a wide range of missiles, radars, engagement control stations, and supporting equipment, while Ukraine obtained approval for $179.1 million in sustainment services for its existing Patriot systems. Both cases highlight the deepening reliance of European countries on American missile defense technology, particularly at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension and strategic uncertainty. Although these sales are framed as strengthening NATO’s collective security and enabling partners to better confront aerial and ballistic missile threats, they also underscore Europe’s persistent dependence on U.S. suppliers, particularly Raytheon (RTX), Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. This reliance is notable given the existence of strong European defense contractors, such as MBDA, which have not been able to develop or consolidate a comprehensive indigenous missile defense alternative capable of competing with Patriot in the NATO context.