US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued an order suspending the supply of missiles and ammunition to Ukraine due to concerns about the state of US military stockpiles. About this informs NBC News.
In particular, we are talking about dozens of Patriot interceptor missiles, thousands of 155 mm artillery shells, more than 100 Hellfire missiles, more than 250 high-precision GMLRS missiles, as well as dozens of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, air-to-air AIM missiles and grenade launchers.
“This decision was made to prioritize US national interests after the Department of Defense conducted a review of our military assistance to other countries. The strength of the US military remains unquestioned — just ask Iran.”, — said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
Hegseth made the decision to delay weeks after ordering an audit of existing ammunition. Their number has significantly decreased due to active deliveries to Ukraine, as well as after almost two years of operations in the Middle East, where the United States acted against the Houthis in Yemen and ensured the defense of Israel and its allies against Iran, the four officials said.
Deliveries may be frozen until the review is complete. If it is determined that stocks are critically low or needed for other regions, the delay may be longer.
It will be recalled that last week during the press conference after the NATO meeting in The Hague, Donald Trump said that the USA is considering the possibility of transferring Patriot missiles to Ukraine:
“They want anti-aircraft missiles. The ones called Patriot, and we’ll see if we can provide some.”
He added that the US also supplies Israel with weapons, stressing:
“They are very difficult to get. We need them too.”
