BREAKING: The U.S. military faces a “beyond critical” shortage of Patriot missiles in Europe largely

Officials say the shortage is being driven largely by the war with Iran, which has increased demand for the advanced air-defense system. The shortage affects both missiles available for immediate use and reserves needed to sustain prolonged operations. Patriot batteries are among the few systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, making them central to the defense of U.S. forces and European allies. Washington and its partners are assessing how quickly additional interceptors can be produced, transferred, or redistributed from other regions. Any decision to shift supplies could create new vulnerabilities elsewhere, while expanding production would take time because of the system’s complex manufacturing requirements. The development underscores the growing strain on U.S. munitions stockpiles as conflicts in multiple theaters place competing demands on American defense resources.