NEW YORK, November 9. /TASS/. Stocks of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles for American-made Patriot air defense systems in European countries have reached critically low levels, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.
According to the report, EU militaries are reluctant to transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine without guarantees from the United States that their own arsenals will be replenished. Furthermore, the $2.1 billion deal between Kiev and the US approved by President Donald Trump will not provide an immediate solution to the problem.
Bloomberg previously reported that US’s NATO allies are concerned about delays in the supply of missiles and air defense systems, as Washington has depleted its own arsenals during the military operations against Iran. The lag could last up to five years and affect a number of European nations. The Pentagon’s decision to prioritize the replenishment of its own arsenals also complicates Ukraine’s efforts to secure additional Patriot interceptor missiles from the US, the agency noted.