Britain will undergo lengthy delays for missiles from US as Pentagon struggles to replenish stockpiles resulting from Iran warfare
Britain could face long delays on its missile deliveries from the US as the Pentagon struggles to replenish its stockpiles due to the Iran war.
The Pentagon has warned the UK, Poland, Estonia and other allies that the delays for several missile systems could be serious.
Crucially, for Ukraine, the delays are forecast to affect the Himars missile system which Kyiv has used in its war against Russia.
US officials are reportedly concerned about their own inventory levels because so many of their missiles have been committed to the conflict in the Middle East.
And to compensate for the shortfall, Washington has also been forced to withdraw stockpiles from other regions including the Indo-Pacific.
For Sir Keir Starmer, who is already facing criticism with his government accused of not investing enough in defence, the situation could leave Britain more exposed.
The war in Iran has raised alarm bells about Britain’s readiness for conflict following a drone attack on the RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus in March and the delayed deployment of HMS Dragon to the region.
In a statement the Pentagon said it was ‘carefully evaluating new requests for equipment from partners as well as existing arms transfer cases to ensure alignment with operational needs’.
US army officials stood by a Himars missile system. The Pentagon has warned the UK, Poland, Estonia and other allies they will face delays for several missile systems
United States Army launch missiles using the Himars system. Kyiv has used this missile system in its war against Russia
It declined to provide more details due to the ‘operationally sensitive nature of these matters’.
Labour has been urged by defence figures to invest more in the military in light of President Donald Trump’s threat to pull out of Nato.
After the Government’s 10-year defence investment plan was delayed last autumn, defence firms have reportedly told ministers the postponements are leaving them in limbo, with some turning their focus to foreign markets.
The news of the missile delay, reported by the Financial Times, comes at a time of tension between the US and its European allies after they refused to provide military support for the war in Iran.
Leaked Pentagon emails last week outlined how America considered punishing its Nato allies. This included potentially suspending Spain’s membership of the alliance and a review of America’s position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
This week, President Trump announced that the US would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
That came after the US president sparred with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had said the Iranians were humiliating the US in talks to end the two-month-old war and that he did not see what exit strategy Washington was pursuing.
The President criticised Mr Merz earlier on Friday, saying: ‘He’s doing a terrible job and he’s got a big problem with Ukraine, because they’re in that mess.’
A senior Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described recent German rhetoric as ‘inappropriate and unhelpful’.
‘The president is rightly reacting to these counterproductive remarks,’ the official said.
In response to heavy criticism from Washington over defence spending, European Nato members including Germany have pledged to take on more responsibility for their own defence.
However, with tight budgets and vast military capability gaps, analysts say it could take years for the region to meet its own security needs.
