US missile and air-defence spending is soaring

The United States is allocating significantly more funds to acquire missiles, air-defense systems, and counter-drone technology, highlighting the rapid evolution of warfare requirements. The Pentagon's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 anticipates substantial increases in spending on systems capable of intercepting missiles and drones.

Patriot interceptors, for instance, have seen a dramatic rise from approximately $100 billion in FY2024 to an estimated $575 billion in FY2027. Similarly, funding for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system has surged from $83 billion to $410 billion over the same period. This escalation is driven by ongoing conflicts, particularly the war with Iran, which has necessitated replenishing missile and drone stocks and bolstering the military's defensive capabilities.

Additionally, the need for counter-drone systems has become increasingly urgent, with the FY2027 budget proposing nearly four times the amount allocated in FY2024, growing from $17 billion to $77 billion. The combined figures suggest a more comprehensive shift in the U.S. military's strategy, moving away from conventional troop-centric wars towards conflicts involving missiles, drones, aerial defense, and the ability to intercept these threats.