The US Army wants to increase the number of MIM-104 Patriot divisions, but recruits are reluctant to join air defence forces

The US Army is facing a problem in recruiting recruits who want to serve in the air defence force. This limits the service's ability to increase the number of MIM-104 Patriot divisions.

Here's What We Know

The US Army held a briefing the previous day in which Lieutenant General Daniel Karbler, head of the Space and Missile Defence Command, outlined plans to expand the Patriot structure. Senior U.S. Army leaders recognise the important role the surface-to-air missile system plays.

Daniel Karbler declined to say how many MIM-104 Patriot units the US Army wants to create. He said the service has a need to expand the Patriot structure and will work in that direction.

The US Congress requested a report on whether the US Army needs more Patriot batteries in the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023. The service now has 15 battalions and has received authorisation to create one more. Each battalion consists of four batteries.

Requirements for Army air defence forces have been one of the service's challenges for many years. This is because it is not uncommon for missions scheduled for six months to be extended to nine months and nine-month missions to be extended to one year.

Daniel Carbler stated that young professionals are not eager to serve in the air defence forces. Therefore, the U.S. Army intends to create an incentive system to motivate current service members and lure new recruits.

Source: Breaking Defence