US officials say weapons deliveries to Europe may be delayed – Reuters

US officials have informed European counterparts that arms deliveries agreed under earlier contracts are likely to be delayed amid the war in Iran.

Source: Reuters, citing sources

Details: Five sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the delays would affect several European countries, including in the Baltic and Nordic regions, as the war in Iran continues to deplete weapons stockpiles.

Reuters' sources added that some of the weapons in question were purchased by European countries under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme but have not yet been delivered. According to these sources, US officials indicated these deliveries are likely to be postponed.

Reuters noted that the White House and the State Department have referred questions about this to the Pentagon, which has not responded to requests for comment.

Quote from Reuters: "The delays underline the degree to which the ​war against Iran, which began with US-Israeli air strikes on 28 February has begun to stretch US supplies of some critical weaponry and ammunition."

Details: European officials are said to be frustrated, arguing that the delays are putting them in a difficult position.

Under the FMS programme, foreign countries purchase US-made weapons with the logistical support and approval of the US government.

During Donald Trump's presidency, Washington has encouraged NATO partners in Europe to purchase more US-made weapons, including through FMS, as part of efforts to shift responsibility for Europe's defence from the US to European allies.

However, such deliveries are often delayed, causing frustration in European capitals, where some officials are increasingly turning to European-made weapons systems.

US officials claim the weapons are needed for operations in the Middle East and accuse European countries of failing to help the US and Israel secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters added that even before the war with Iran, the US had effectively depleted billions of dollars in weapons stockpiles, including artillery systems, ammunition and anti-tank missiles, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Israel's military operations in Gaza at the end of 2023.

Quote from Reuters: "Since the start ​of the Iran campaign, Tehran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at ​Gulf countries. Most ⁠have been intercepted, including with the PAC-3 Patriot missile interceptors that, for example, Ukraine relies on to defend its energy and military infrastructure from ballistic missiles."

Details: Reuters sources spoke on the condition that the countries affected by the delays would not be named. Some of them border Russia, meaning the frequency of arms deliveries is considered sensitive defence information.

According to the sources, the list of delayed deliveries includes various types of ammunition, including those used for both offensive and defensive purposes.

Background:

• Reports in the media said US forces had used more than US$5 billion worth of munitions in the first two days of the war against Iran.
• In early April, US President Donald Trump threatened to stop weapons supplies to Ukraine under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme unless European allies joined the operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
• Earlier, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is considering redirecting military aid intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, as the war with Iran is depleting some of the US armed forces' most critical munitions.
• On 28 March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is not diverting weapons purchased by NATO countries for Ukraine to the Middle East, but he did not rule out that possibility in the future.

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