Demand for the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system has dramatically increased due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Originally deployed in the 1991 Gulf War, the system is now critically needed to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks against Ukraine. However, supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles are dwindling rapidly, strained by Ukraine’s urgent requests for aid and increased usage in the Middle East. The depletion has resulted in reduced arsenals for the U.S. and its allies in the Gulf region. Some European nations are also reportedly hesitant to contribute to aid packages, preferring to retain missiles for their own national security. This scarcity highlights a growing concern about the availability of advanced air defense capabilities globally.