The U.S. Department of Defense has reallocated military aid to Ukraine, leading to a slowdown in the delivery of air defense systems and ammunition, writes the Financial Times.
The deliveries, which began after a Pentagon directive in June, are arriving irregularly and in smaller batches than expected. Analysts warn that if Russia continues to escalate, maintaining a high rate of missile and drone attacks, Ukrainian air defense units will face ammunition shortages.
An interlocutor of the publication noted that "it's a matter of time before the ammunition runs out."
Summer data shows that the number of drone launches exceeded 5,200 per month, and hundreds of missiles continue to be launched monthly at Ukraine's territory.
The slowdown in deliveries occurred after a memorandum by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's chief policy official, regarding the U.S. priority in countering China. Colby noted that Ukraine's requests for American weapons could increase the burden on the Pentagon's arsenals.
A White House representative denied accusations of "depriving Kyiv of ammunition," noting active support for Ukraine and the sale of weapons to NATO allies to compensate for the shortage.
The slowdown in deliveries affected key systems: Pac-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, dozens of portable Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems, precision artillery shells, and more than 100 Hellfire and AIM missiles launched by Ukrainian Nasams air defense systems and F-16 fighters.
EU countries agreed to send air defense systems and ammunition to Ukraine from their stocks and to purchase additional supplies in the U.S. In August 2025, European partners acquired weapons for Ukraine worth about $2 billion, particularly for air defense.
The head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, called the agreement with NATO and EU countries a "breakthrough," as it allows for faster receipt of necessary weapons for defense against attacks.
Meanwhile, the German defense company Rheinmetall will supply Ukraine with Skyranger mobile air defense systems, specifically designed to combat drones, said the company's head Armin Papperger in an interview with ZDF channel.
"Each of these systems can cover an area of four by four kilometers, providing complete protection against drones. This means that all drones [in this zone] will be destroyed," noted Papperger.
The head of Rheinmetall added that the contract signing for the deliveries will take place this week in London, and the first mobile anti-aircraft platforms, which can be installed on Leopard tanks, will be handed over to Kyiv by the end of this year.
Photo: Reuters