US War on Iran Strains Weapon Stockpiles, Deliveries to Europe Delayed

US officials have informed several European allies that previously contracted weapons deliveries may be delayed as the war on Iran continues to place pressure on US stockpiles, Reuters reported, citing informed sources.

The affected communications were reportedly shared with multiple European partners, including countries in the Baltic region and Scandinavia. Officials said the delays are linked to increased demand on US ammunition and missile systems required for the aggression against Iran.

According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, US officials recently informed European counterparts through bilateral channels that some weapons shipments under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program could be postponed.

Meanwhile, European officials say they were not given full timelines for when the delayed deliveries might resume.

Foreign military sales program under pressure

The affected equipment was purchased through the Foreign Military Sales program, which allows partner countries to buy US-made weapons with government approval and logistical coordination.

Under the program, delivery timelines depend on US manufacturing capacity, export authorization, and global stock availability.

European officials have long expressed frustration over delays in FMS deliveries, with some now accelerating efforts to diversify procurement toward European defense manufacturers.

US wars across the globe strain defense supply

The reported delays come amid sustained demand for US defense supplies across several active war zones.

Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022, the United States has provided extensive military aid, including artillery systems, ammunition, and anti-tank weapons. Additional strain followed "Israel’s" genocide in Gaza beginning in late 2023.

More recently, the aggression against Iran has further increased demand for missile defense systems and interceptors.

Some of the systems under pressure include PAC-3 Patriot missile interceptors, which have been used across the Gulf region during the war on Iran. These same systems are also relied upon by Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure, highlighting competing demand across multiple regions.

European concerns over defense planning

European officials say the delays complicate defense planning, particularly for countries in NATO’s eastern flank and northern Europe.

Some governments are reportedly reassessing long-term reliance on US supply chains and increasing investment in domestically produced European weapons systems.

US officials, meanwhile, have emphasized that maintaining sufficient stockpiles is necessary for ongoing operations and broader strategic commitments.

However, the situation highlights growing tension between US global military commitments and allied expectations for timely weapons deliveries.

Washington has previously forced European NATO members to increase purchases of US-made defense systems, including through the FMS framework, as part of broader burden-sharing policies. However, repeated delays have fueled debate in European capitals over supply reliability and defense autonomy.

According to Reuters, the strain on US weapons stockpiles has accumulated over several years due to overlapping aggressions and sustained military assistance programs. Some officials also noted that several European countries affected by the delays share proximity to Russia, making timely deliveries strategically sensitive.

US seeks $25.4bln interceptor boost

Earlier this month, the United States Department of War requested on April 7 a sweeping increase in funding for advanced missile interceptors, citing mounting stockpile pressures following extensive use during the ongoing war on Iran.

According to budget documents for fiscal year 2027, the Pentagon is seeking a combined $25.4 billion to expand procurement of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE), marking one of the largest interceptor funding surges in recent years.

The request follows reports of significant attrition in US interceptor inventories, due to the aggression on Iran, as the Iranian armed forces responded to US-Israeli aggression by launching hundreds of missiles and thousands of one-way attack drones against "Israel" and US interests in the region.

Iran's retaliatory strikes led to high consumption rates of missile interceptors, exposing gaps in strategic reserves, especially for Gulf countries. US defense officials have warned that the pace of interceptor use has outstripped replenishment capacity, raising concerns over long-term readiness.

The issue is compounded by an inability to match the scale and speed of Iran’s missile and drone production, which has placed sustained pressure on US air defense systems deployed across multiple theaters.