Europe’s Patriot stocks near critical lows as Iran war drains U.S. munition reserves
AP reports that Patriot air-defense missiles in Europe are “beyond critical” as the Iran conflict drains U.S. inventories; hundreds of Patriots have been sent to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, and overall Patriot stocks have shrunk sharply due to Iran-related consumption. The Pentagon won’t disclose exact numbers, but NATO says it has enough munitions to defend itself and aid Ukraine. Europe is preparing to boost production, with a new German facility due to deliver next year and a goal of about 2,000 Patriots per year by 2030. While alternatives like France/Italy’s SAMP/T NG exist, they are not a direct substitute for Patriots against ballistic missiles, and some allies face shortages even as other munitions are available for different defense needs.
