Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • US-Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • Western Hemisphere
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine-Russia / Ukraine’s air defense woes can’t be fixed by American aid
Ukraine‑Russia

May 24, 2024

Ukraine’s air defense woes can’t be fixed by American aid

By Geoff LaMear

Ukraine’s air defenses are succumbing to myriad air threats that cannot be held off, despite the passage of a recent aid bill that provided an additional $61 billion in military aid. Ukraine’s dire military situation cannot be remedied by a blank check, or as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently requested, more Patriot batteries.

The problem is not a resourcing issue, at least not in the short term. The air threats Ukraine faces pose a quantitative overmatch that simply make countering this unachievable.

Ukraine’s air defenses are already facing an untenable situation, one which additional Patriot batteries simply cannot remedy. Ukraine currently possesses just three Patriot batteries, one of which recently lost two launchers to a Russian air attack while convoying.

Read at Defense News

Author

Photo of Geoff Lamear

Geoff
LaMear

Contributing Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Europe

In the mediaNATO, Alliances

Foreign Contractors Stand To Gain As NATO Countries Spend Big On Defense

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

April 16, 2026

In the mediaUS‑Israel‑Iran, Alliances, Iran, Middle East, NATO

Our Adversaries—And Allies—Are Learning These Lessons From U.S.-Iran Negotiations: Analyst

Featuring Daniel DePetris

April 14, 2026

Op-edNATO, Europe and Eurasia, Iran, US‑Israel‑Iran

Threatening NATO Over Iran Is Stupid, but Potentially Useful

By Benjamin Friedman

April 12, 2026

Op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

A Flawed Formula for Peace in Ukraine

By Jennifer Kavanagh

April 7, 2026

Op-edNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia

Our NATO allies are unwilling to play Donald Trump’s game this time around

By Daniel DePetris

April 7, 2026

In the mediaNATO, Alliances, Iran, Middle East, US‑Israel‑Iran

Trump roils NATO as pressure builds over Strait of Hormuz

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

April 5, 2026

Events on Ukraine-Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2026 Defense Priorities Foundation. All rights reserved.