AP: U.S. Forces in Europe Face Critical Shortage of Patriot Interceptor Missiles

U.S. forces in Europe are facing a critical shortage of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles, largely due to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran.

The Associated Press reported this, citing a U.S. military official and a NATO representative.

According to the U.S. official, the biggest concern is the shortage of Patriot interceptors capable of shooting down Russian ballistic missiles.

A NATO official confirmed that U.S. and other allied forces in Europe have only limited stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles.

The U.S. official warned that if Russia were to launch a hypothetical attack, critical sites in NATO countries could face a situation similar to what Ukraine is experiencing now, leaving them to ‘take the hits.’

According to the official, U.S. forces in Europe do not have enough interceptors to defend against multiple ballistic missile strikes, and their ability to intercept even a single such strike is very limited.

Previously, U.S. media reported that the war with Iran had depleted most of the United States’ existing stockpile of Patriot air defense missiles.

Military officials had warned that stockpiles were at dangerously low levels. However, the Trump administration has publicly denied this.

In early August, six drone flights were recorded over a Bundeswehr base where Patriot air defense systems are serviced and repaired.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine needs 10% of the Patriot missiles currently held in U.S. stockpiles to intercept all Russian ballistic missiles.

“If the United States sells us 5% of its Patriot missiles, we will make it through the winter and save people’s lives. If they can sell us 10%, we will destroy all Russian ballistic missiles. I have 1%,” Zelensky said in an interview with CNN.

On August 25, Zelensky said Ukraine had received additional Patriot missiles, along with confirmation that several Crotale air defense systems and ammunition for them would also be delivered.