Financial Times: Ukraine risks facing a shortage of air defense resources
This is reported by Financial Times.
Pressure on supplies has intensified after several months of irregular and smaller-than-expected deliveries since the Pentagon directive was adopted in June. Officials and analysts warn that if Moscow continues to escalate or simply maintains higher rates of missile and drone attacks, Ukrainian air defense units will face shortages.
"It's a matter of time before ammunition runs out," said a person familiar with U.S. air defense supplies to Ukraine.
The slowdown in supply rates raises particular concern, as other missiles purchased directly from manufacturers under the separate "Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative" are produced in batches, causing gaps between deliveries. EU countries have also recently agreed to send air defense systems and ammunition from their stocks and purchase others from the U.S. so they can supply them to Ukraine, but these supplies have only begun arriving partially.
The slowdown in U.S. arms supplies occurred after Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's chief policy officer, wrote a memo to Defense Secretary Peta Gesset in early June. Colby, who stated that he wanted to reorient the U.S. military to counter the growing threat from China, argued in the memo that Ukraine's requests for American weapons could further deplete the already exhausted Pentagon stockpiles.
A White House spokesperson stated: "Reports that we are 'depriving Kyiv of vital air defense assets' are clearly false, and the Department of Defense is working very diligently to support Ukraine's requirements, including for air defense."
As Russia increases air strikes on energy facilities ahead of the cold autumn and winter months, attempting to weaken Ukraine and gain an advantage on the battlefield, Kyiv anticipates greater defensive challenges.
Every powerful Russian attack forces Ukraine to shoot down valuable interceptors and other munitions faster than American replacements can arrive.
