Profile
- Type
- Long-range surface-to-air missile system
- Conflict side
- UkraineUnited States
- Origin
- United States / NATO donors
- Service note
- Modern integrated air defense
Air Defense
MIM-104 Patriot
A high-end air defense system used by Ukraine against Russian air and missile attacks and by U.S. forces defending Al Udeid Air Base from Iranian ballistic missiles.
- Conflict side
- UkraineUnited States
- Built by
- Raytheon (RTX)Lockheed Martin
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- Used by
- Ukrainian Air Force, U.S. Army air defense units
Production History
- Built by
- Raytheon (RTX)Lockheed Martin
- Built in
- United States
Specifications
- Crew
- Battery has about 90 assigned; 3 soldiers operate the engagement control station in combat
- Missiles
- PAC-2/GEM family and PAC-3 / PAC-3 MSE interceptors
- Range
- Variant and target dependent; open sources cite up to about 160 km against aircraft
- Mobility
- Truck/trailer-mounted radar, control, power, antenna, and launcher elements
- Loadout
- Launcher load varies: up to 4 PAC-2, 16 PAC-3 CRI, or 12 PAC-3 MSE
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Ukraine
Supplied to Ukraine for high-end air defense of cities and critical infrastructure against aircraft and missile threats.
- United States-Iran Conflict
- Side: United States
U.S. Army Patriot batteries remained at Al Udeid Air Base and engaged incoming Iranian ballistic missiles during Iran's retaliation after Operation Midnight Hammer.
MIM-104 Patriot Images
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Related Weapon Systems
NASAMSMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemA distributed air defense system using AMRAAM-family missiles. Its networked launchers and sensors make it valuable for defending urban areas and infrastructure.
Buk-M2Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile systemThe Buk-M2 is a Russian tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system in the Buk family, using the 9M317 missile and networked radars to defend maneuver forces and key areas against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision weapons, and some ballistic targets. In the Russia-Ukraine War it appears on the Russian side as part of layered battlefield air defense, where Ukrainian forces have targeted its launchers and associated radar vehicles.
FIM-92 StingerMan-portable air-defense systemA shoulder-fired missile used by infantry to threaten low-flying aircraft and helicopters. Stingers are part of the portable air defense layer that complicates Russian air operations.
Flakpanzer GepardSelf-propelled anti-aircraft gunThe Flakpanzer Gepard is a tracked German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun built around twin 35 mm automatic cannons and onboard search and tracking radars. In Ukraine it fills a short-range air defense role, pairing Leopard 1 mobility with gun-based engagement of low-flying aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and drones.
IRIS-T SLMMedium-range surface-to-air missile systemA German air defense system supplied to protect Ukrainian population centers and infrastructure. It is designed for high accuracy against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
S-300Long-range surface-to-air missile systemThe S-300 is a Soviet-designed long-range surface-to-air missile family used by Ukraine for area air defense during the Russia-Ukraine War. Its mobile launchers, radars, and command elements give Ukrainian forces a legacy but still important way to contest aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and some ballistic-missile threats while newer Western systems enter service.Sources
PatriotPublisher: CSIS Missile Threat | Note: Supports general system specifications and background. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Patriot Missile HistoryPublisher: U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal | Note: Supports additional system background. | Accessed: 2026-06-19MIM-104 Patriot Launcher ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports open-source image provenance for the Patriot launcher image. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Fact Sheet on U.S. Security Assistance to UkrainePublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War military aid context for Patriot air defense batteries supplied to Ukraine. | Accessed: 2026-06-19Historically Successful Strike on Iranian Nuclear Site Was 15 Years in the MakingPublisher: U.S. Department of War | Note: Supports United States-Iran Conflict use of Patriot batteries defending Al Udeid Air Base from Iranian missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-19