US Warns Allies of Missile Delivery Delays Up to Five Years

The United States has warned its allies that deliveries of key missile systems face delays of up to five years as Washington works to replenish domestic stockpiles depleted by the war with Iran. The shortage is complicating European efforts to supply Ukraine with critical air defense ammunition ahead of anticipated winter Russian bombardments. According to multiple reports, the Pentagon has acknowledged the strain on its inventory. A Defense Department inspector general report this week stated that heavy weapons expenditure in the Iran campaign has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and exposed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply. A separate Congressional Budget Office assessment found the U.S. has consumed between one-half and two-thirds of its inventory of certain missile-defense interceptors since June 2025, adding that rebuilding those stocks could take at least five years even if production increases. The supply squeeze presents an acute problem for Ukraine, which relies on sophisticated foreign interceptors to counter Russian missiles.