US Resumes Purchase of SM-3 Block IB Interceptors Canceled by Biden Administration in 2024

The United States has decided to resume procurement of Standard Missile-3 Block IB (SM-3 IB) exo-atmospheric interceptor missiles.

Defence Archive reported on this.

Funding for the missiles had previously been removed from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) budget request.

Procurement of the Block IB version was excluded from the fiscal year 2025 budget proposal, prompting criticism from members of Congress.

The issue gained urgency after the active combat use of SM-3 interceptors, including in April 2024, when the missiles were used to intercept Iranian ballistic threats targeting civilian infrastructure.

Heavy operational use led to a depletion of stockpiles and emerging shortages.

It is estimated that combat launches reduced the overall interceptor inventory by about 20%.

The U.S. Congress has allocated $475 million for the procurement of SM-3 Block IB missiles under the 2026 defense budget. The final number of missiles ordered will depend on negotiations between the MDA and Raytheon, including pricing revisions and contract terms.

Under a broader agreement, Raytheon is expected to accelerate and expand production not only of the SM-3 IB, but also of the Block IIA variant, as well as Tomahawk, AMRAAM and SM-6 missiles.

The manufacturer claims that framework contracts could increase production volumes by two to four times.

Current production of the SM-3 Block IB stands at three to four missiles per month, with a maximum capacity of five.

Potential scaling would raise output to between six and 20 interceptors per month, meeting operational requirements of the United States and its allies.