Several European countries unwilling to share Patriot missiles with Ukraine - WP
Photo: Patriot air defense missile system (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s European allies are reluctant to transfer their own stockpiles of missiles for Patriot systems to Kyiv over concerns that doing so could weaken their own air defenses, according to The Washington Post.
According to the outlet, Ukraine has nearly exhausted its stockpile of PAC-3 interceptors for Patriot systems, with only a few units remaining and distributed across the country.
WP sources said that earlier this year, the administration of US President Donald Trump approached several European countries with a request to transfer additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine. However, some nations refused due to concerns about their own defense capabilities.
At the same time, the sources noted that the equipment Ukraine receives under the PURL program does not fully meet Kyiv’s most up-to-date needs.
In April, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that new funding under PURL was "extremely important" for purchasing interceptor missiles.
"Please also have a look at your stocks. We need more PAC-2 and PAC-3 to build up a stockpile for the winter," Fedorov urged.
NATO stated that Ukraine had received most of its Patriot missiles, including PAC-3s, through the PURL framework, along with ammunition for other air defense systems.
Meanwhile, a Pentagon representative confirmed that allies had repeatedly asked the US Department of Defense to guarantee that weapons supplied under PURL would not be redirected to American military operations in the Middle East.
"We basically ran the traps and were able to confirm to Congress that we are very, very strictly operating (within) the bounds of statute, which does provide latitude to backfill stocks that are sent to Ukraine," the Pentagon representative said.
Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the United States had warned its European allies about possible delays in weapons deliveries due to shrinking American stockpiles following the war with Iran. The warning was reportedly received by the United Kingdom, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia.
According to the outlet, the delays could affect ammunition supplies for HIMARS, NASAMS, and Patriot systems.
