NATO military chiefs meet as Iran war depletes alliance’s arsenal
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NATO allies are becoming increasingly concerned that the United States’ large-scale military campaign in Iran is rapidly depleting stocks of advanced weaponry, particularly high-end missile defence systems and interceptors. The issue is expected to dominate Tuesday’s meeting of NATO military chiefs at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, where leaders will discuss the urgent need to significantly increase weapons production capacity across member states.
According to Pentagon figures released in May, the conflict in Iran has already cost the US military more than $29 billion, with no indication that hostilities will end soon. The heavy use of sophisticated systems, including Patriot air and missile defences, has raised fears among allies that stockpiles may not be replenished quickly enough to maintain NATO’s deterrence capabilities, particularly as tensions with Russia persist.
Military officials are also worried that delays in US defence production could affect deliveries of weapons purchased by European NATO members, including systems intended for Ukraine. NATO sources stressed that the alliance must prepare for the possibility of simultaneous conflicts and warned that current production levels are insufficient.
The meeting, chaired by Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G. Grynkewich and attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, is expected to focus heavily on accelerating defence manufacturing and strengthening long-term military readiness.
