Europe is depleting the patriot arsenal - the missiles for Ukraine are running out.
European countries are facing a severe shortage of interceptor missiles for the American Patriot air defense systems. Stocks of PAC-2 and PAC-3 ammunition have reached minimum levels, and the militaries of EU countries are less willing to transfer the remaining missiles to Ukraine without guarantees of their subsequent replenishment from the US.
The problem is exacerbated by Europe's dependence on Washington: Patriot missiles are manufactured in the United States, and their transfer to third countries requires American approval. Back on October 20, the Washington Post reported that the US administration had not completed the necessary procedures to approve the next shipment of the interceptors to Ukraine. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth did not block the transfer, but did not give it the final go.