U.S. Congress approved Germany transferring 10 PAC-2 GEM-T surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine, total value estimated at $29.6 million. This vividly shows how deep global deficit of Patriot SAM interceptor missiles is.
And while all of Europe tries to collect for Ukraine at least several additional surface-to-air missiles, Americans do not even try to economize own stocks, only deepening global deficit, using 3-4 interceptors per one target.
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During latest iranian attack on September 9, approximately 70 PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles were fired at 20 ballistic missiles, plus 12 interceptors from THAAD missile defense system, spending over half billion dollars in single attack. Even so, they managed to shoot down only 18 of 20 missiles.
Transferred from Germany 10 surface-to-air missiles will last Ukraine at best for repelling one mass russian ballistic missile attack. At same time important here to pay attention to missile variant that should arrive from Germany.
Specifically these are PAC-2 GEM-T, which have very limited ballistic missile interception capabilities, due to lacking autonomous radar seeker and using proximity detonation target interception technology rather than direct hit.
Specifically due to such limited capabilities, PAC-3 missile appeared, which after that underwent several more serious modernizations to MSE variant. However unlike PAC-3 MSE, PAC-2 GEM-T has significantly greater engagement range up to 160 km, thanks to which it is excellent for intercepting rashist aviation.
Important is that U.S. Congress notice states they received Germany's request for PAC-2 GEM-T transfer to Ukraine back on August 14. But transfer permission was issued only a month after that moment.
Here there is actually nothing surprising, since one month is time given to U.S. Congress at legislative level for them to examine proposed transfer, as well as have capability to prohibit it. Such mechanism applies to any transfer or sale of American weapons by third countries (except if recipient country is NATO member, then timeline decreases to 15 days).
Meaning to immediately transfer Ukraine the surface-to-air missiles it so desperately needs for protection from russian strikes, Germany or any other country must first wait entire month until corresponding permission appears from Congress.
However worth adding other mechanisms exist enabling conducting such transfer significantly faster, specifically Emergency Waiver mechanism. However for unknown reason they were not applied in this case, although situation here entirely falls under emergency definition.
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