AP Report: 'Beyond critical' shortage of US Patriot interceptors in Europe
Security officials warn of NATO countries' vulnerability to a Russian attack. The shortage stems from the conflict with Iran. The fear: NATO will face a situation similar to Ukraine's and will be forced to absorb blows from Russia.
The US military is experiencing a "beyond-critical" shortage of missile interceptors in Europe. The shortage, primarily due to the war with Iran, raises serious concerns regarding the ability of NATO countries to defend themselves against a possible Russian attack.
The most significant shortage concerns Patriot interceptor missiles, capable of neutralizing ballistic missiles flying at high speed. A US security official in Europe and a NATO official confirmed these details on condition of anonymity, noting that low stocks exist both among US forces and NATO forces stationed on the continent.
Against this backdrop, US President Donald Trump said today that Vladimir Putin will not attack NATO territory.
The US security official claimed that in the event of a Russian ballistic missile attack on a military headquarters or power station, NATO could find itself in a situation similar to that of Ukraine:
"It will be forced to absorb blow after blow."
The remarks were made amid fears that without a sufficient stock of interceptor missiles, strategic sites on the continent will remain exposed to ballistic missile attacks. The US official emphasized that the US military certainly does not have enough Patriot missiles to stop a prolonged ballistic missile attack in Europe. He added that the US would have very limited ability to defend against the impact of a ballistic missile or a stray Russian missile that deviated from its course.
