With More Conflict Abroad, U.S.-Made Air Defense Is in High Demand

European countries are turning to American technology amid concerns around the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Patriot missile launchers in Poland.
The U.S.-made Patriot missile system has quickly become the backbone for defense in Kyiv. Michal Dyjuk/AP

Europe is rushing to boost its air defense systems, and it’s turning to the United States to do it.

The war in Ukraine has escalated geopolitical tensions in the region and fears that a broader conflict could be around the corner at any point. With Russia frequently deploying a “mass attack” strategy, sometimes sending more than 200 airborne attacks at once, many countries are looking to shield their skies.

“Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the proliferation and use of ballistic and cruise missiles,” Andrew Metrick, a former fellow at the Center for a New American Security, wrote earlier this year, citing the war in Ukraine, conflict in the Red Sea and continuous threats from North Korea.