High costs and long waits for popular US-made Patriots just drove a NATO ally to pick a European rival

High costs and long waits for popular US-made Patriots just drove a NATO ally to pick a European rival

A Patriot launcher fires an interceptor missile during an exercise in New Mexico.US Army photo by Sgt. David RinconNATO member Denmark said it was choosing the Franco-Italian SAMP-T for long-range air defense.An official said it didn't pick the US-made Patriot due to the higher price and longer wait time.Demand for Patriots and air defense systems has surged with the West watching China and Russia.A NATO ally is choosing a European alternative o…