Stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles held by U.S. forces in Europe have plummeted following large-scale deliveries to Ukraine and particularly heavy ammunition consumption during the war with Iran, raising concerns about NATO’s ability to repel sustained ballistic missile attacks.
The Associated Press reported this on August 27, citing a U.S. military official in Europe and a NATO spokesperson, both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to the U.S. official, the most serious problem concerns the Patriot missiles specifically designed to intercept high-speed ballistic missiles.
He described inventory levels as “below critical” and stated that U.S. forces in Europe currently “definitely” do not have enough interceptors to repel a sustained series of ballistic missile strikes.
The official described the ability to defend against even a single ballistic strike or an errant Russian missile that has veered off course and is heading toward NATO territory as “very limited.”
A NATO spokesperson who spoke with the AP also confirmed the low level of Patriot stockpiles among U.S. and NATO forces in Europe.
However, both the Pentagon and NATO officially reject assessments of a critical shortage.
NATO’s senior military representative, U.S. Army Colonel Martin O’Donnell, told the AP that the claim that the number of Patriot missiles in Europe is “below critical levels” is not true. According to him, NATO has sufficient air defense capabilities both for its own protection and to continue assisting Ukraine.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell also dismissed reports of a shortage of U.S. ammunition as false and stated that the U.S. military has the necessary stockpiles to conduct operations.
Nevertheless, independent assessments show a significant reduction in U.S. reserves.
According to Mark Kansian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Ukraine has received more than 600 Patriot missiles from U.S. and allied stocks since the start of the full-scale war.
However, the main factor behind the sharp decline in reserves was the U.S. war with Iran.
According to CSIS estimates, approximately 65% of U.S. Patriot stockpiles—roughly 1,500 out of 2,330 interceptors—were expended during the campaign against Iran. By the end of July, CSIS analysts estimated that the remaining U.S. Patriot stockpiles stood at fewer than 1,000 missiles.
Ed Arnold, an expert at the British Royal United Services Institute, noted that deliveries to Ukraine had been planned in advance and were relatively manageable, whereas the need for massive deployment of interceptors in the Middle East arose much sooner than expected, exposing the limitations of the production chain.
The shortage is particularly acute for Europe, as there are currently few alternatives to the Patriot system for intercepting modern ballistic missiles.
France and Italy are developing a new version of the SAMP/T NG system, which is expected to have broader capabilities against ballistic targets; however, this new variant has not yet been tested in actual combat conditions. The current version of the SAMP/T has a shorter range than the Patriot.
A sharp increase in production capacity should partially resolve the problem.
In 2026, approximately 600–650 modern PAC-3 MSE missiles are expected to be produced, and the U.S. defense industry plans to increase production capacity to 2,000 interceptors per year by 2030. Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have already signed agreements designed to significantly expand production.
Additional production capacity is being established directly in Europe.
In September 2026, the first European production center for Patriot missiles is scheduled to launch in Schrobenhausen, Germany. The facility is being established by COMLOG, a joint venture between MBDA Deutschland and the American company Raytheon.
The new facility will carry out final assembly and testing of PAC-2 GEM-T missiles. The first deliveries are expected in 2027. Among the countries that have already placed orders, AP lists Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain.
Raytheon received a separate $3.7 billion contract in April 2026 to produce GEM-T missiles for Ukraine. The company explicitly stated that the new plant in Germany is also expected to play a key role in replenishing Ukraine’s stockpile of interceptors.
For Ukraine, this situation means increased competition for the limited supply of missiles being produced. Kyiv needs the Patriot system primarily to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, which remain one of the most challenging targets for Ukraine’s air defense.
At the same time, U.S. manufacturers must replenish their own stockpiles, meet the needs of European NATO members, fulfill orders from Middle Eastern countries, and continue to support Ukraine.
CSIS warns that even with a significant ramp-up in production, it will take several years to fully replenish U.S. stockpiles. Until new production lines reach full capacity, the U.S. and its allies will have to prioritize the allocation of a limited number of interceptors among Europe, Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Norway has announced the allocation of 3 billion kroner (268 million euros) to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, specifically as part of the PURL program and to purchase Patriot missiles from countries that already have them, the Norwegian government’s press service reported.
“Norway is now providing an additional 3 billion Norwegian kroner to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense systems,” the government press service stated on its website.
It is reported that Norway, together with Denmark, Germany, and Canada, will order new Patriot air defense missiles directly from the manufacturer in the U.S. as part of the PURL program.
“Given the long delivery times for some of these missiles, Norway also plans to purchase Patriot missiles from countries that already have them in order to deliver them to Ukraine as quickly as possible,” the Norwegian government emphasized.
Norway is also allocating funds to join Ukraine’s initiative to jointly develop anti-ballistic systems with European partners. “Ukraine has invited European partners to participate in the development of a specialized missile defense system. This could also be significant for the defense of Norway and other NATO member states. Norway is allocating funding to be able to contribute to this initiative,” the statement said.
“In the future, ballistic missiles may also pose a serious threat to Norway and its allies. Therefore, the Ukrainian initiative is of interest from the perspective of strengthening Norway’s defense capabilities,” said Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
During the NATO summit in Ankara, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a key topic of discussion with partners would be the supply of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system, which are critical to Ukraine’s ability to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles—and noted that these missiles are not exclusive to the United States.
As previously reported, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, and Poland have appealed to the European Commission to grant authorization as soon as possible for the purchase of missiles for U.S.-made air defense systems as part of the 90 billion euro “defense” component that the EU is providing to Ukraine in 2026–27.
Norway is now providing an additional 3 billion Norwegian kroner to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense systems, according to the Norwegian government.
“Ukraine has been successful in intercepting most drones and cruise missiles, but it needs to strengthen its defenses against ballistic missiles. This is one of Ukraine’s most urgent priorities. That is why Norway is now allocating 3 billion Norwegian kroner for air defense,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gar Støre.
On Tuesday, the prime minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
“Russia is sending hundreds of drones and missiles into Ukraine day and night. The Patriot air defense system is highly effective and can counter a wide range of threats, including ballistic missiles,” said Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
Together with Denmark, Germany, and Canada, Norway will order new Patriot air defense missiles directly from the manufacturer in the United States. Norway will continue to support the U.S.-led PURL program. PURL is a NATO program for coordinating the funding and donation of advanced U.S. military equipment to Ukraine, including air defense systems. Given the long lead times for some of these missiles, Norway also plans to procure Patriot missiles from countries that already possess them to facilitate rapid donations to Ukraine.
According to the Norwegian government, Ukraine has asked its European partners to participate in the development of a specialized missile defense system. This could also be significant for the defense of Norway and other Alliance member countries. Norway is allocating funding to be able to contribute to this initiative.
“In the future, ballistic missiles could also pose a serious threat to Norway and its allies. Therefore, the Ukrainian initiative is of interest in terms of strengthening Norway’s defense capabilities,” Sandvik said.
The government noted that between 2023 and 2025, Norway provided Ukraine with air defense support totaling 30 billion Norwegian kroner. Norway is also providing significant funding to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense in 2026.
The Dutch government has pledged to purchase drones and air defense equipment for Ukraine totaling EUR500 million, according to Reuters.
“Drones worth 250 million euros will be purchased from Dutch defense companies. The remaining 250 million euros will be spent as part of the initiative to supply Ukraine with weapons manufactured in the United States (PURL),” the report states.
With this new announcement, the Netherlands’ total contribution to the PURL initiative will reach EUR1 billion. The initiative involves supplying Ukraine with air defense equipment and missiles, as well as ammunition for F-16 fighter jets and other systems.
The Netherlands and Ukraine also signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the field of defense innovation.
The United Kingdom will urgently allocate an additional £100 million (over €115 million) to Ukraine to support its air defense, which will help protect the country from Russia’s relentless attacks, according to the British government’s press service.
“These funds will be rapidly deployed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to provide better protection for frontline troops and key national infrastructure against air strikes,” the statement said.
It is noted that, together with this latest aid package, the UK has allocated £600 million over the past two months to support Ukraine’s air defense system, once again reaffirming the government’s determination to save lives and strengthen Ukraine’s resilience.
“As Putin continues his appalling attacks across Ukraine, my message is simple—the UK’s support will not waver. Putin’s unprovoked full-scale invasion has harmed households across the UK, driving up the cost of living and undermining European security. To ensure this never happens again and to protect people in our country from the real threat posed by Russia, I am determined to do everything possible to support a sovereign and free Ukraine for future generations. “This vital package of air defense capabilities will do just that, protecting millions of people in Ukraine from Russia’s barbaric attacks on cities and homes, while their armed forces bravely defend their country and our values on the front lines,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
It is noted that the support package demonstrates the UK’s readiness to defend its allies and its interests and follows the Prime Minister’s announcement that British military personnel will now have the right to inspect “shadow fleet” vessels passing through British waters—which increases pressure on Putin.
The new funding complements the £500 million air defense assistance package announced in February during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
This package included £150 million for NATO’s “Priority Ukraine Requirements List” (PURL) initiative, enabling the rapid delivery of air defense interceptors, as well as over 1,000 Light Multiple Missiles (LMMs) manufactured in Belfast.
It also supported a £390 million agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between the UK and Ukrainian industries.
British Defense Minister John Gilli announced the allocation of an additional half a billion pounds ($681.4 million) to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.
According to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, Gilley made the announcement ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
“This afternoon, I will confirm that the UK is providing Ukraine with an additional half a billion pounds for urgent air defense.
In this way, the UK is acting as a force for good in the world, building a new agreement on European security within NATO,” he said during a conversation with the media.
Gilley added that he is proud of the UK’s leadership and commitment to its allies.
“We will support you. We will defend you. We will fight alongside you in this new era of threats and brute force,” the minister said.
Gilley also confirmed that the UK will play a central role in NATO’s Arctic security mission, which aims to strengthen security in the region.
Later, the UK government website published a press release on a new aid package for Ukraine to strengthen its air defense. The new £500 million package includes £150 million for NATO’s PURL initiative and an additional 1,000 British-made missiles.
The Minister of Defense confirmed that the UK will provide £150 million for the first time to NATO’s Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which ensures the rapid delivery of air defense interceptor missiles to protect Ukraine’s skies.
In addition, the UK intends to supply an additional 1,000 Belfast-made Light Multi-Mission Missiles (LMM).
This £390 million deal is based on deepening cooperation between British and Ukrainian industry on the transfer of production and support for Rapid Ranger launchers and command and control vehicles to Ukraine.
The government has announced that in the coming months, the UK will also supply an additional 1,200 air defense missiles and 200,000 artillery shells.
As reported, Defense Minister Gille is co-chairing the 33rd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group today (February 12, 2026) at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
