Overview
- U.S. officials told several European partners that some weapons they bought through the Foreign Military Sales program will likely arrive later than planned, with Baltic and Nordic countries among those affected.
- Lithuania’s Defense Ministry said it received a notice from Pentagon officials about possible delays to U.S.-made ammunition it has on order.
- Officials link the delays to heavy use of interceptors and other munitions in the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran that began on February 28, compounded by earlier drawdowns for Ukraine and for Israel’s operations in Gaza.
- Patriot air-defense interceptors are under particular strain, and the Pentagon has moved to expand output by signing a framework with Boeing to triple PAC-3 seeker production and awarding Lockheed Martin a $4.76 billion PAC-3 MSE contract largely funded by FMS accounts, though the planned ramp will take years.
- European capitals report growing frustration and are weighing more European-made options, while Washington has also studied redirecting ally-funded missiles for Ukraine to the Middle East, a step that has not been approved.