Lockheed Martin has introduced the PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector (ACE), a new Patriot interceptor built to counter air and missile threats for less than half of the current PAC-3 MSE variant.The announcement, made in Farnborough, England on Monday, came as Ukraine’s own supply of PAC-3 missiles remains critically low against ongoing Russian ballistic strikes. Current PAC-3 interceptors cost roughly $4 million per missile, Reuters reported, citing US Army budget documents.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.“American and allied warfighters need a solution that is battle-tested and budget smart, and PAC-3 ACE delivers exactly that by building on the unrivaled performance of the PAC-3 MSE,” said Tim Cahill, the President of Missiles and Fire Control at Lockheed Martin.“As we look to partner with our allies, we can further enhance resiliency and ensure our forces can swiftly counter emerging threats today and tomorrow,” he added.Initial production is expected to start within 36 months, according to the company.A missile Ukraine cannot do withoutFor Ukraine, the PAC-3 is currently the only weapon capable of intercepting Russia’s Iskander-M, a ballistic missile carrying a half-ton warhead strong enough to tear down a quarter to half of a typical apartment block. That reliance became obvious by July, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reportedly had exhausted its PAC-3 interceptors during two Russian barrages: on July 1-2, Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, four of which were intercepted, and on July 5-6, Russia launched 23 ballistic missiles, none of which were intercepted. Around the same time, Russia launched four Zircons on July 1-2 and six on July 5-6, none of which were intercepted either.