Washington cautioned allies that contracted munitions may be deferred as US stocks shift to a Middle East campaign, leaving some European partners exposed.
American officials warned their European colleagues that part of the United States’ arms deliveries under previously signed contracts could be delayed due to exhausted stockpiles amid the war with Iran. It is noted that this could affect several European countries, including those in the Baltic region and Scandinavia, according to sources cited.
Part of the weapons purchased under the United States’ Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program but not yet delivered, and it is these shipments that are likely to be delayed.
Sources did not name specific countries affected by the delays. Some of them border Russia, which may explain the secrecy surrounding the information. The deliveries involve various types of munitions, including those that can be used for both offense and defense.
This underscores how the American-Israeli campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, is draining U.S. stockpiles of critically important weapons and munitions.
European officials are also expressing concern that the delivery delays put them in a difficult position.
Under the FMS program, countries purchase U.S.-made weapons with logistical support and the consent of the U.S. government. In previous years, the United States urged NATO European partners to buy more U.S.-made weapons through FMS, seeking to shift some of the responsibility for Europe’s defense onto European partners.
However, such deliveries are often delayed, causing disappointment in European capitals, where officials are increasingly considering options for European-made weapons.
American officials emphasize that the weapons are needed for the war in the Middle East, and they accuse European countries of not helping the United States and Israel to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
Even before the current war with Iran, the United States depleted weapon stocks worth billions of dollars, including artillery systems, ammunition, and anti-tank missiles, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Israel’s military operations in Gaza in late 2023.
Since the start of the U.S.-Israel operation against Iran, Tehran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward the Gulf states. Most of them were shot down, including by PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, which Ukraine, for example, relies on to defend against Russian shelling.
Earlier it was reported that the Pentagon planned to move weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the end of March that such a decision had not been made, but warned: if a situation arises where the United States must replenish stocks or carry out missions in its national interests, America’s needs will always come first.
Context and implications for Europe
Ongoing debates about the balance between supporting NATO and America’s domestic needs highlight the