The US has informed several European partners that the delivery of previously contracted arms could be delayed due to the strain the war in Iran is placing on its military reserves, according to five sources familiar with the discussions.
According to these sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the communications were not public, the countries affected include several in northern and eastern Europe, including some in the Baltic region and Scandinavia.
Some of the equipment in question relates to purchases built through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, a mechanism through which allied countries acquire US weapons with Washington’s authorisation and logistical support. According to the sources, these deliveries, which have already been contracted but are still pfinishing shipment, have been flagged as likely to be postponed in recent bilateral communications.
The White Hoapply and the State Department have referred enquiries to the Pentagon, which has not responded to requests for comment.
The delays highlight the extent to which the conflict with Iran, which launched following the US and Israeli air strikes on 28 February, is straining US stocks of ammunition and critical systems.
In Brussels and other European capitals, some officials believe this situation directly affects their countries’ defence readiness, particularly against a backdrop of mounting pressure on NATO’s eastern flank.
US officials maintain that some of the equipment is being redirected to operations in the Middle East. They also point out that European partners have not contributed sufficiently to ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open alongside the US and Israel.
Even before the campaign against Iran, Washington had already significantly reduced its reserves following the dispatch of arms to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of 2022 and military support for Israel since the offensive in Gaza in late 2023.
Since the start of the current campaign, Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones against Gulf states, most of which have been intercepted by systems such as the PAC-3 Patriot missiles, also applyd in the defence of Ukraine.
The sources have not specified which specific countries will be affected in each case, as this is sensitive defence information, particularly regarding states bordering Russia.
The delayed equipment includes various types of ammunition, for both offensive and defensive apply, according to the same sources.
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