US faces critical shortage of Patriot missiles in Europe, officials tell AP
The U.S. military is facing a critical shortage of Patriot missile interceptors in Europe due to the diversion of supplies to the Middle East for the ongoing war with Iran. Officials warn that this leaves NATO vulnerable to potential Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Why it matters
The depletion of critical defense assets highlights the strategic strain on U.S. military resources caused by simultaneous global conflicts.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — 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.
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