Pentagon warns of weapons delays as stockpiles shrink after Iran war
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The United States has warned its European allies about delays in weapons deliveries and shrinking stockpiles, which Washington has faced during the war with Iran. The delays could even affect Asia, according to the Financial Times.
Who can expect delays and why
According to nine sources, the Pentagon has warned European allies about potentially prolonged delays in US weapons deliveries. At least the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia have received such warnings. Possible delays to Asia were also discussed.
Serious concerns over US weapons stockpiles partly drive the delays, as Washington has used a significant volume of arms against Iran over the past two months.
Moreover, the US military has already had to redirect weapons from other regions, including the Indo-Pacific, to cover shortages.
The war with Iran has also intensified concerns over whether the United States has sufficient stockpiles to deter Beijing or prevail in a potential future conflict with China over Taiwan.
In addition to raising alarm across Europe, the delays are bad news for Ukraine amid concerns about continued US support after four years of full-scale war.
The delays are also unfolding at a tense moment in transatlantic relations. As previously reported, Trump has sharply criticized allies for not doing more to support the US in its confrontation with Iran.
However, several sources told FT that the delays are not meant to punish Europe but reflect real US concerns about its own stockpiles.
Security experts say US allies in Asia should also prepare for delays. For example, Japan and South Korea rely on various US weapons systems, including Patriot missile defense systems.
Which weapons could be delayed
FT reports that delays may affect munitions for systems such as HIMARS, NASAMS, and others.
The Pentagon said it is “carefully evaluating new requests for equipment from partners as well as existing arms transfer cases to ensure alignment with operational needs.”
According to the media outlet, countries using NASAMS include Taiwan, Norway, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Indonesia, Australia, Hungary, Ukraine, Denmark, Qatar, and Oman.
According to Lockheed Martin, 14 US partners use HIMARS, including Taiwan, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Australia, and the UAE.
Stockpile strain is already affecting Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian official said US weapons deliveries to Kyiv have been delayed since the start of the war with Iran.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently noted that delays sometimes leave Patriot air defense systems without missiles during Russian attacks.
Cost of the war with Iran
Recently, CBS News reported that a Pentagon official estimated the cost of the military campaign “Epic Fury” at around $25 billion.
However, the outlet noted that this figure does not fully account for damaged or destroyed equipment and affected US military infrastructure.
Several officials familiar with internal estimates suggest the real cost is closer to $50 billion.
A significant portion of the discrepancy is explained by munitions that have already been used and now need to be replenished.
