US Warns Allies of Five-Year Weapons Delivery Delays

The United States government warned allies that deliveries of key weapons systems may be delayed by up to five years as Washington works to replenish munitions stocks depleted during a seven-month war with Iran. A Congressional Budget Office assessment indicates the U.S. consumed between one-half and two-thirds of certain missile-defense interceptors since June 2025, including half of advanced Patriot variants and nearly half of THAAD interceptors.

These shortages have specifically impacted Germany, which requested accelerated deliveries of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon launchers that Raytheon is unlikely to fulfill within the five-year window. The deficit also hinders European Union efforts to support Ukraine, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted air-defense supplies in 2026 were only one-third of 2025 levels. Ukraine is reportedly nearly out of PAC-3 interceptors.

While President Donald Trump has rejected claims of ammunition shortages, the Pentagon inspector general acknowledged strategic inventory shortfalls and industrial bottlenecks. In response, Lockheed Martin plans to increase annual production of PAC-3 MSE Patriot interceptors from 600 to 2,000 units. Trump is considering providing Ukraine with less advanced Patriot versions or granting licenses for European nations to manufacture the weapons locally. EU officials plan to press the U.S. for more supplies during upcoming UN meetings in New York.