Washington has warned allies that deliveries of some key missiles and air-defence systems could be delayed for years as the US replenishes depleted munitions stocks.
Web Desk: The United States has warned allies to expect delays of up to five years in deliveries of some key weapons as Washington works to rebuild military stocks depleted during its war with Iran, according to a Bloomberg report cited by the Express Tribune.
The reported delays are affecting missile and air-defence systems sought by several European countries, adding pressure to already stretched US defence-production capacity.
Germany faces delays in missile deliveries
Germany has asked Washington to accelerate deliveries of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon launchers.
However, depleted US stocks mean RTX Corp.’s Raytheon unit may not be able to fulfil the reported order within five years, according to Bloomberg.
The situation highlights the difficulties facing Washington as it attempts to replenish weapons used extensively during the conflict while continuing to meet commitments to allies.
Ukraine also affected by weapons shortages
The shortages are also creating challenges for Ukraine, which has sought additional Patriot air-defence interceptors ahead of the coming winter.
US President Donald Trump has said Washington was considering options including supplying Ukraine with a less advanced version of the Patriot system or allowing European countries to manufacture the weapons under licence, according to the Express Tribune.
European leaders are also expected to raise the issue of additional Patriot support for Ukraine during meetings around the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Heavy weapons use during Iran conflict
The US military has used large quantities of advanced munitions during the Iran conflict.
According to the Express Tribune, US forces are estimated to have used more than half of some advanced Patriot missile variants, about one-third of Tomahawk missiles and nearly half of certain precision-strike missiles and THAAD interceptors. These figures are reported estimates rather than a complete official inventory disclosure.
The Congressional Budget Office separately said the conflict has involved a large expenditure of missile-defence interceptors, leaving the United States with a reduced interceptor inventory for several years.
Defence industry seeks to increase production
US defence companies are increasing production to address the shortages.
Lockheed Martin, for example, is working to increase annual production capacity for PAC-3 MSE Patriot interceptors from roughly 600 to 2,000, according to reports cited by the Express Tribune and other outlets.
The challenge is not limited to final missile production. Defence manufacturing also depends on specialised components, production capacity and other parts of the industrial supply chain.
The CBO said the Iran conflict has created opportunity costs for the Pentagon because large quantities of missile-defence interceptors have been expended, with the resulting shortfall expected to persist for several years.
Wider impact on US allies
The reported delays extend beyond Europe.
Japan has previously been warned that deliveries of Tomahawk missiles could be delayed by as much as two years, while concerns over Patriot and other air-defence deliveries have also emerged among US partners in Asia.
The issue has therefore become a broader question for US allies that rely on American weapons systems while Washington simultaneously replenishes its own stocks.
