Pentagon halts weapons shipment to Ukraine amid concerns over U.S. stockpile
The delay comes weeks after Hegseth issued a memo ordering a review of the U.S. stockpile of munitions, which has been depleted after years of sending weapons to Ukraine to defend against the Russia invasion, as well as nearly two years of military operations in the Middle East as the U.S. fought against Houthi rebels in Yemen and defended Israel and allies against Iran, four of the officials said.
The munitions and other weapons could be held up until the assessment is complete, the two defense officials and two congressional officials said, and if the munitions are in short supply or needed in other parts of the world, they could be held back even longer.
The weapons being delayed include dozens of Patriot interceptors that can defend against incoming Russian missiles, thousands of 155mm high explosive Howitzer munitions, more than 100 Hellfire missiles, more than 250 precision-guided missiles known as GMLRS, and dozens of each of Stinger surface to air missiles, AIM air to air missiles, and grenade launchers, the two defense officials, two congressional officials, and two sources with knowledge said.
'This decision was made to put America's interests first following a DOD review of our nation's military support and assistance to other countries across the globe. The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.
During a closing press conference after a NATO meeting at The Hague last week, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is trying to find Patriot air defense missiles to send to Ukraine.
'They do want to have the anti-missile missiles,' Trump said of Ukraine. 'As they call them the Patriots, and we're going to see if we can make some available.' Trump said the U.S. is supplying weapons to Israel and that 'you know, they're very hard to get. We need them, too.'
The delay comes after repeated appeals from Ukraine for additional U.S. and European air defense weaponry as Russia has stepped up its air raids in recent months. Over the weekend, Ukraine's defense ministry said Russia had launched the largest aerial attack on the country since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, firing 60 missiles and 477 drones.
Trump and his Republican allies in Congress are also working to secure a permanent ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Though it's common for new administrations to pause weapons transfers to assess stockpiles, there are concerns about the moment in which this is happening, according to one official with knowledge of the situation. The official said Ukraine needs to appear strong in order to get Russia to the negotiating table.
During a visit to Washington on June 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's top adviser, Andriy Yermak, told reporters that his country was holding off Russian forces but needed more air defense systems to safeguard its cities from Russian attacks.
The munitions were approved as part of Presidential Drawdown Authority and Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative packages during the Biden administration, the defense officials and two sources with knowledge said. Some of the shipments are already in the region, but have been stopped before being turned over to Ukraine, according to a defense official and two sources with knowledge.
Last month the U.S.' Acting Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral James Kilby, warned during testimony before Congress that while the Navy has enough standard missiles, known as SM-3s, right now, the U.S. has been using some missiles and munitions 'at an alarming rate.'
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