Patriot missile shortage forces pause in US arms transfers to Ukraine

The United States currently possesses only about 25% of the Patriot missile interceptors required for its global military plans, prompting the Trump administration to freeze a recent weapons shipment to Ukraine, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The missile shortfall, exacerbated by US operations in the Middle East, has raised alarm inside the Pentagon, where Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg authorized the halt while reviewing global stockpiles. The decision was made amid growing concerns that low levels of key munitions, including Patriots, could compromise US operational readiness, Caliber.Az reports, citing Guardian.

President Donald Trump appeared to partially reverse the move on July 7, telling reporters, “he would ‘send some more weapons’ to Ukraine,” though he did not confirm if the shipment would include Patriot systems. In a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump reportedly said he had not ordered the freeze but had initiated a broader review of US weapons inventories.

The freeze was based largely on data from the Pentagon’s global munitions tracker, which showed several critical stockpiles falling below minimum thresholds since the Biden administration began sending large-scale military aid to Ukraine. Deliberations reportedly intensified after recent deployments of interceptors to the Middle East in support of Israel and operations against the Houthis, as well as the interception of Iranian missiles targeting the Al Udeid base in Qatar last month.

A memo authored by Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby outlined options for conserving weapons and was sent to Feinberg. Although earlier reports suggested Colby ordered the freeze, sources clarified that only Feinberg had the authority to approve it, with final approval from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The pause comes as Ukraine faces heightened Russian aerial assaults and struggles to procure essential munitions. Due to production delays and Pentagon procurement priorities, Ukraine is largely unable to place direct orders with US defence contractors.

Despite Trump’s frequent complaints about aid to Ukraine, sources said Feinberg’s decision was driven by concerns over limited US manufacturing capacity to replenish depleted stockpiles.

US aid to Ukraine has been delivered via two channels: direct drawdowns from Pentagon inventories and the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which funds new production. Both methods were reportedly affected by the freeze, as contractors are now focused on restocking US supplies.

The latest planned shipment to Ukraine included dozens of Patriot missiles, as well as air-to-air Sparrow missiles, Hellfire missiles, GMLRS artillery rockets, and anti-tank weapons. Patriots remain a key concern, with the US producing around 600 annually—while Iran reportedly has over 1,000 ballistic missiles that could threaten US bases if regional tensions escalate.

The US has also sent 2,000 Stinger missiles to Ukraine—equal to about two and a half years of production—at a time when they are increasingly needed for American defense against hostile drones.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated, “As Operation Midnight Hammer proved, the American military is stronger than it’s ever been. President Trump wants to stop the killing and has pledged to provide Ukraine with additional defensive munitions.”

The Pentagon and White House confirmed that some arms transfers would resume under Trump’s direction but did not specify if Patriot systems would be included.

By Sabina Mammadli