Ukraine risks facing a shortage of air defense capabilities after the Pentagon revised its military aid program, leading to a slowdown in deliveries just as Moscow is stepping up its air attacks.
The pressure on supplies has intensified after several months of irregular and smaller-than-expected deliveries since the Pentagon directive was issued in June.
Officials and analysts warn that if Moscow continues to escalate or simply maintains a higher rate of missile and drone attacks, Ukrainian air defense units will face a shortage. “It’s a matter of time before the ammunition runs out,” said a person familiar with US air defense supplies to Ukraine.
The slowdown in deliveries is particularly concerning because other missiles purchased directly from manufacturers under a separate program, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, are running low.
The slowdown in deliveries is particularly worrying because other missiles purchased directly from manufacturers under a separate program, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, are produced in batches, causing gaps between deliveries.
EU countries have also recently agreed to send air defense systems and ammunition from their own stocks and to purchase others from the US so that they can supply them to Ukraine, but these deliveries have only begun to arrive in part.
The slowdown in arms deliveries from the US came after Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s chief policy officer, wrote a memo to Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth in early June. Colby, who has said he wants to refocus the US military on countering the growing threat from China, argued in the memo that Ukraine’s requests for US weapons could further deplete the Pentagon’s already depleted stocks.
A White House representative said: “Reports that we are ‘depriving Kyiv of vital air defense capabilities’ are clearly false, and the Department of Defense is working very hard to support Ukraine’s requests, including for air defense.”
The official added that President Donald Trump wants to “stop the killing” and has instructed the US to “sell weapons to NATO allies who can replace what European countries are sending to Ukraine.”
According to the Financial Times, after reviewing critical systems, the Pentagon initially suspended and then slowed deliveries to Ukraine of Pac-3 interceptors for Patriot air defense systems; dozens of Stinger portable anti-aircraft missile systems; high-precision artillery shells; more than 100 Hellfire and Aim missiles launched by Ukrainian Nasams anti-aircraft missile systems and F-16 fighter jets.
According to Ukrainian officials, Ukrainian troops have used up a lot of ammo over the summer trying to defend against intense air attacks on military and civilian infrastructure. As Russia increases its air strikes on energy facilities ahead of the cold autumn and winter months in an attempt to weaken Ukraine and exploit its advantage on the battlefield, Kyiv expects greater defense challenges.
Every powerful Russian attack forces Ukraine to shoot down valuable interceptors and other weapons faster than American replacements can arrive.
Yesterday, Russian drones violated Polish airspace and invaded Poland. NATO allies scrambled reconnaissance aircraft. Congressman Joe Wilson called the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones an act of war.
We, the NATO countries, are faced with a choice. Either provide Ukraine with sufficient air defense systems, or go to war with Russia and finally defeat it once and for all!
