U.S. officials said Patriot missile stocks in Europe are at a beyond critical shortage because interceptors were shifted to the Middle East during President Donald Trump’s war with Iran. They said the shortfall leaves NATO with very limited ability to defend against a Russian ballistic missile strike, while NATO and Pentagon officials disputed that assessment. The report says Patriot inventories are expected to recover by 2030, but deliveries in Europe remain tight for now.
A Patriot missile mobile launcher is displayed outside the Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton, Okla., on Ma 21, 2023. AP-Yonhap
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe largely driven by President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, a U.S. defense official in Europe and a NATO official told The Associated Press, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in NATO countries to a potential Russian attack.
The U.S. defense official said the most concerning shortfall involves Patriot missile interceptors, which can shoot down Russia’s high-speed ballistic missiles. The NATO official confirmed the low inventories of Patriots among American and NATO forces in Europe. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
