US Patriot missile shortage in Europe ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war, officials say

US military officials and a NATO official report a "beyond critical" shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe. The most significant deficit is in Patriot missile interceptors, crucial for defending against Russia's high-speed ballistic missiles. This shortage is attributed to the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has depleted US stockpiles. The reduced availability of these interceptors raises concerns about the vulnerability of NATO countries to a potential Russian attack. Both officials spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information.

U.S. military officials report a "beyond critical" shortage of Patriot missile interceptors in Europe, primarily due to the ongoing war with Iran. These missiles are crucial for defending against Russia's high-speed ballistic missiles. The U.S. has moved significant numbers of Patriot interceptors to the Middle East to counter Iranian drone and missile attacks, depleting European stockpiles. This situation raises concerns about NATO countries' vulnerability to a potential Russian attack, as they could be left with limited defensive capabilities. While a Russian attack is not imminent, and production is expected to increase by 2030, the current shortage leaves Europe with few alternatives for ballistic missile defense.