US officials warn NATO lacks Patriot missiles to counter sustained Russian strike
US officials say American forces in Europe face a severe shortage of Patriot air defense missiles, leaving NATO vulnerable to a Russian ballistic missile attack. The shortfall is largely attributed to the war in the Middle East.
American military forces stationed in Europe are experiencing what officials describe as a "beyond critical" shortage of Patriot air defense missiles, according to a U.S. defense official in Europe and a NATO official who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Both sources indicated the shortage stems largely from the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has drawn heavily on available missile stockpiles.
The shortfall has raised concerns about just how exposed NATO member states would be in the event of a Russian attack. According to the U.S. defense official, a Russian ballistic missile strike targeting a military headquarters or a power plant could leave NATO forces just as short on Patriot interceptors as Ukraine currently is.
Limited defensive capability
The official said American forces "definitely" do not have enough Patriot systems to repel a sustained ballistic missile attack. Even the capacity to intercept a single ballistic strike, or a Russian missile that veers off its intended course, was described as "very limited."
Conflicting timelines on the threat
In February, a European intelligence official assessed that Russia would not be capable of entering open conflict with NATO this year or next. However, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte offered a different projection in June 2025, stating that Moscow could be ready to strike within five years.
