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Exclusive: US Patriot missile stocks in Europe are 'beyond critical' due to Iran war, officials say

Patriot missles are seen at the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, March 25, 2022, in Jasionka, Poland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe largely driven by President Donald Trump’s war with Iran , a U.S. defense official in Europe and a NATO official told The Associated Press, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in NATO countries to a potential Russian attack . The U.S. defense official said the most concerning shortfall involves Patriot missile interceptors, which can shoot down Russia’s high-speed ballistic missiles. The NATO official confirmed the low inventories of Patriots among American and NATO forces in Europe. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. Smoke rises above warehouse stores after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug.

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Scoop News DeskUS Patriot · Published Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 6:29 PM UTCUpdated Friday, August 28, 2026 at 3:39 PM UTC

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Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement Thursday that claims of U.S. munition shortages “are false.” “We have everything required to strike at the time and place of the President’s choosing,” Parnell said. “Across multiple combatant commands, we have already executed successful operations while maintaining a deep, ready arsenal to defend our people and our interests.” Officials in Ukraine, however, are begging for more Patriots to defend against Russian missile attacks , while previous U.S. transfers to Ukraine have drawn down some of the American supply of the interceptors. Some of those attacks have killed and wounded American troops .

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Version 2unpublished
Friday, August 28, 2026 at 1:28 PM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy
Version 3published
Friday, August 28, 2026 at 1:45 PM UTC
Patriot missles are seen at the Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, March 25, 2022, in Jasionka, Poland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe largely driven by President Donald Trump’s war with Iran , a U.S. defense official in Europe and a NATO official told The Associated Press, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in NATO countries to a potential Russian attack . The U.S. defense official said the most concerning shortfall involves Patriot missile interceptors, which can shoot down Russia’s high-speed ballistic missiles. The NATO official confirmed the low inventories of Patriots among American and NATO forces in Europe. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. Smoke rises above warehouse stores after a Russian air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug.
Version 4unpublished
Friday, August 28, 2026 at 3:39 PM UTC
Removed by Scoop Timeline eligibility policy