Allies got a blunt update: prepare for long waits on certain US weapons while America restocks. Officials from several European countries say they expect hold ups for critical missiles and air defenses after US supplies were heavily drawn down following the launch of the war with Iran on Feb. 28.
Berlin has pressed Washington to accelerate shipments of the long-range Tomahawk cruise missile as well as the ground-based Typhon launcher. But with US Tomahawk stocks depleted, RTX Corp.'s Raytheon is seen as unlikely to fill Germany's order within the next five years. According to two officials, several Eastern European countries that depend on US systems began encountering delays shortly after the United States and Israel opened hostilities against Iran on Feb. 28. A request for comment to the Defense Department was not immediately returned.
US inventories took a major hit in Iran. Analysts estimate that the US has used over half of the most advanced Patriot variants, expended roughly one third of its Tomahawks, and burned through nearly half of its precision strike missiles as well as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the US may have depleted up to two thirds of its missile defense interceptor stockpile since June 2025.
Pentagon officials told the inspector general that the munitions fired at Iranian targets in the early months "has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply." A report from the watchdog this week said officials are now building reserves of critical components and selected munitions, and working to cut production lead times.
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Ukraine's air-defense needs are set to be a prime agenda item during next week's United Nations gatherings in New York. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump said he is talking to Ukraine about either sending a "far less sophisticated version" of the Patriot system or issuing licenses so Europeans can build the weapons. European leaders plan to press Trump for more Patriots during the UN week, and EU officials want Washington to allow European nations to manufacture their own Patriots that could eventually go to Kyiv.
The ripple effects go beyond Europe. In April, Washington informed Japan that its Tomahawk deliveries would face delays of up to two years. Saudi Arabia has appealed to allies, including the US, for support against Houthi attacks in Yemen, and Washington has not indicated whether it will provide additional assistance.
Even so, the US is still transferring weapons that European allies purchased for Ukraine through NATO and EU programs. Europe's core concern remains steady US battlefield support for Kyiv.
Defense manufacturers are racing to increase output while governments rebuild stockpiles. Lockheed Martin is working to lift yearly capacity of the PAC-3 MSE, the most advanced Patriot interceptor, from roughly 600 to 2,000. That shapes allied defense budgets, procurement calendars and, ultimately, when equipment actually shows up.
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