US forces in Europe allegedly do not have enough Patriot missiles to withstand a prolonged Russian ballistic missile attack. Unnamed US Defense Department and NATO officials said stocks of some advanced missile defense systems in Europe had fallen below critical levels.
The shortage was said to be most pronounced in Patriot missiles. The decline in stocks was alleged to be linked to systems used during the conflicts with Iran.
Plan to triple production capacity
In April, the US Defense Department signed framework agreements with Boeing and Lockheed Martin aimed at tripling the capacity for critical components used in missile production.
The Donald Trump administration had previously rejected reports that US ammunition stocks had fallen to concerning levels. Trump had held the Joe Biden administration's military aid to Ukraine partly responsible for the decline in stocks.
Conflicts with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
It was alleged that the conflicts began after the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, 2026; that the Strait of Hormuz was closed; and that Iran carried out attacks on targets in the Gulf countries as well as in the United States and Israel. A ceasefire agreement was said to have been reached in April 2026.
It was alleged that the United States resumed its attacks against Iran from July 8 to 24, 2026, while Iran targeted US military facilities and equipment in Arab countries, as well as Arab civilian infrastructure. After these developments, negotiations reportedly resumed on secure transit corridors for ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington and Tehran had previously signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18, 2026, concerning freedom of maritime navigation. However, disputes over the security of the strait were said to have disrupted the process, causing crises in global supply chains.
