American officials have informed their European counterparts that some arms deliveries for which agreements were previously made may be postponed, as weapon stocks continue to shrink due to the war with Iran, Reuters reports, citing five informed sources, LETA writes.
This affects several European countries, including those in the Baltic region and Scandinavia, sources indicated.
Some of the relevant weapons were purchased by European countries under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, but they have not yet been delivered, the sources added.
In recent days, U.S. representatives have informed European officials that these deliveries are likely to be delayed, the sources noted.
The expected delay in deliveries highlights how critically important U.S. weapon stocks have been reduced due to the war with Iran, Reuters points out.
European officials are complaining that the delays put them in a difficult position.
Since the start of the war with Iran, Tehran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Gulf countries. Most of them have been intercepted, including with the help of interceptor missiles from the Patriot systems.
Ukraine is also relying on these systems to protect its energy and military infrastructure from Russian ballistic missiles.
Reuters sources spoke on condition of anonymity and did not name specific countries that would be affected by the delivery delays.
Some of them share a border with Russia, so the schedule for arms deliveries is considered sensitive defense information.
Among the weapons whose deliveries are delayed are various types of ammunition, including those that can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes, the sources reported.
