The Army is planning to grow its operational Patriot air-and-missile defense force from 15 to 18 battalions, plus a composite battalion which includes Patriot capability in Guam , an Army spokesperson told Defense News in a statement.

In 2023 the service announced a plan to add a 16th battalion , but it will now bolster a force stretched thin with two additional battalions.

Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus announced earlier this month that the Patriot force would grow by “up to four” battalions.

Additionally, the Army is planning to build an Integrated Air and Missile Defense battalion for Guam. The Guam Defense System battalion is a composite battalion that will include the Integrated Fire Protection Capability, or IFPC, and the Integrated Battle Command System -enabled Pa

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