US Allies Face Weapons Delivery Delays of Up to 5 Years Amid Stockpile Replenishment

The United States has warned allied nations to expect delays of as much as five years for key weapons deliveries as it prioritizes rebuilding its own munitions stockpiles depleted during the war in Iran, according to a Bloomberg report published Friday. The decision impacts critical defense orders across Europe and complicates military aid for Ukraine.

European Deliveries Pushed Back

Multiple European nations expecting deliveries of key missile and air defense capabilities have been told to anticipate significant setbacks, officials told Bloomberg. Germany has reportedly been informed that an order for long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and the ground-based Typhon launcher is unlikely to be fulfilled by manufacturer RTX Corp.’s (NYSE: RTX) Raytheon in the next five years due to depleted U.S. stocks.

Two other officials cited in the report stated that some Eastern European nations reliant on U.S. arms have also experienced delays since shortly after the war began on Feb. 28. The Pentagon's focus on replenishing its own arsenal is the primary driver of these postponements.

Strain on Ukraine Aid and Defense Production

The prioritization of U.S. stockpiles is also straining Ukraine's efforts to secure more Patriot air defense interceptors. The push for additional systems comes ahead of what is expected to be a difficult winter for the nation. The issue of Ukraine’s air defense needs is slated to be a key topic at next week’s United Nations meetings in New York.

Ad

Scale of Munitions Expenditure

The need for replenishment stems from the significant use of advanced munitions during the Iran conflict. According to the report, the U.S. is estimated to have used a substantial portion of its high-end arsenal, including:

• More than half of its most advanced Patriot missile variants
• A third of its Tomahawk missiles
• Almost half of its precision strike missiles and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors

The Congressional Budget Office separately stated that the U.S. had probably used as much as two-thirds of its inventory of missile defense interceptors since June 2025.