U.S. officials warned allies that heavy ammunition use in a conflict with Iran
could delay delivery of some weapons by as much as five years. Officials said
Germany and other European buyers’ orders for Tomahawk cruise missiles and the
'Typhoon' long‑range launch system face postponements due to U.S. inventory
shortfalls; some Eastern European states reliable on U.S. arms would also be
affected. The U.S. military has expanded large shares of advanced munitions in a
conflict scenario cited by officials — more than half of advanced‑model Patriot
interceptors (PAC‑3), about one‑third of Tomahawks, and roughly half of
precision‑strike missiles and THAAD interceptors. The Pentagon said large‑scale
use has exposed strategic stock shortfalls and industrial capacity bottlenecks.
U.S. defense contractors are expanding capacity; Lockheed Martin plans to raise
annual PAC‑3 production. Ukraine’s urgent demand for additional Patriot
interceptors is adding pressure as U.S. policy prioritizes replenishing its own
stocks.
