Logistics challenge: Patriot missile transport strains US air power
The Patriot anti-aircraft system was designed for air transport of all its components. Deploying a battalion to a volatile region demonstrated the significant challenge global air transport presents. So, how many planes are needed to transport a Patriot battalion?
The issue regarding the strategic mobility of the Patriot system was highlighted by the commander of USINDOPACOM (U.S. Indo-Pacific Command — responsible for the Indo-Pacific region), Admiral Samuel Paparo.
Admiral Paparo referred to a situation in which, due to the American campaign against the Houthis, it became necessary to transport a battalion of the Patriot anti-aircraft system to the Middle East.
In this instance, the battalion consists of four batteries, each equipped with six to eight launchers, as well as a radar and a battle management module ECS. Transporting these forces to the Middle East required as many as 73 flights by C-17 transport aircraft. The United States has about 220 of these planes, and their production has already ended.
Too few planes and ships
According to Admiral Paparo, moving weapons over long distances by air requires not only transport planes but also, among others, an air tanker fleet, which, in his opinion, the United States has too few of.
There is also a problem with maritime transport. As noted by the American commander, the current fleet of transport ships available to the U.S. armed forces can cover 60 percent of the demand for supplies.
The gap is filled by engaging civilian carriers, but this is a temporary solution because, in the event of war, the Pentagon will be reliant on its own forces. Meanwhile, 17 military supply ships stand idle because they lack crews.
Problem with replenishing supplies
An issue revealed by the campaign against the Houthis (conducted in the operational area of another command — USCENTCOM) is the rapidly depleting stockpile of various guided missiles. This also affects war reserves, which — according to American commanders — are starting to become outdated due to age.
Replenishing these stockpiles, given the limited production and transportation challenges, may prove difficult. As noted by Admiral Paparo, logistics, especially in an area as vast as the Indo-Pacific, will become a very serious challenge for the United States in the event of a war with China.
