U.S. supplies of Patriot air defense missiles and other munitions have reached dangerously low levels after five months of war with Iran and continued support for Ukraine against Russia. Despite White House denials, officials confirm interceptor stockpiles are 'extremely low,' raising concerns about America's defense capabilities.
U.S. supplies of Patriot air defense missiles and other munitions have reached dangerously low levels after five months of war with Iran and continued support for Ukraine against Russia. Despite White House denials, officials confirm interceptor stockpiles are 'extremely low,' raising concerns about America's defense capabilities.
The U.S. Defense Department is pressing defense companies to dramatically speed up weapons production and deliveries amid concerns that the ongoing war with Iran has exhausted critical missile and munitions supplies. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg told contractors that "years-long development cycles are not acceptable," though funding to boost production remains stuck in Congress as diplomatic deadlock continues over the Strait of Hormuz.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on August 6, 2026, targeting five Cuban entities and eight individuals accused of procuring military equipment from China and Russia, including Cuba's senior military representative in Beijing.
The United States is pressing ahead with negotiations to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles domestically, even after President Donald Trump publicly cast doubt on the deal. Ukrainian officials reveal they have been seeking production licenses for two years amid urgent defense needs against Russian attacks.
A North Korean ballistic missile unit has begun deploying to Russia's Voronezh Oblast with plans to field up to 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers for strikes against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The deployment represents a significant expansion of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Chinese state media released footage showing a Type 052D destroyer launching a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile for the first time, signaling wider deployment of the advanced weapon across China's most numerous destroyer class. The missile is estimated to reach speeds of Mach 6-10 with extended range capabilities.
Recent military engagement with Iran has further reduced the United States' already diminished stockpiles of advanced missile interceptors, potentially increasing risk to American troops in future hostilities, according to analysis.
United Nations experts have verified that Boeing 727 aircraft previously identified by Reuters as connected to a U.S. military contractor's network were used to transport mercenaries, weapons and drones for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, according to a draft U.N. report scheduled for September publication.
Iran is set to receive 300 to 400 Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 MANPADS (man-portable air-defense systems) within weeks under a contract valued at $60-70 million, according to sources. China has denied the report as groundless, while Pakistan has also denied involvement in the transfers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on July 23, 2026, that U.S. defense contractor Raytheon had expressed interest and readiness to pursue joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles with Ukraine following a meeting with company executives. The two sides will remain in contact to finalize the details, as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its air defenses against escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Trump's administration is preparing to submit to Congress a 30-year "123 Agreement" with Saudi Arabia that omits both the IAEA's Additional Protocol and the "gold standard" bar on uranium enrichment, while making no mention of Saudi normalization with Israel.
President Donald Trump announced he would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air-defense interceptors under U.S. license, a potential diplomatic breakthrough for Kyiv. However, defense experts and Ukrainian officials caution the complex process could take years to implement and won't address Ukraine's immediate air defense needs against Russian attacks.
President Donald Trump said at a NATO summit in Turkey that the United States will give Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense system interceptors, marking a significant shift in his approach to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump acknowledged he had not yet informed defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who produce the Patriot system.
President Donald Trump stated he will lift sanctions on Turkey and make a decision on selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara during a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a NATO summit. The move represents a significant policy shift despite concerns from Israel and questions about Turkey's S-400 missile defense system.
NATO leaders gathered in Ankara, Turkey for a summit focused on demonstrating increased European defense spending commitments to President Donald Trump. Alliance members announced at least $50 billion in defense industry deals while Trump renewed demands for Greenland and weighed allowing Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
China imposed new export controls on 40 Japanese entities, including defense contractors and research institutes, citing concerns about Japan's 'remilitarization.' The move escalates tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.
President Trump is planning to ask US defense companies to produce weapons under license in Europe and Ukraine, with G7 allies agreeing to allow Ukraine-based companies to build long-range missiles and air defense systems. The move comes as Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to boost weapons manufacturing amid intensifying concerns over the Iran conflict.
Slovenia has revoked a 2025 ban on weapons trade with Israel and lifted entry bans on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two Cabinet ministers. The Defense Ministry said the arms trade restrictions, introduced in July 2025, are no longer necessary as trade is already governed by national and EU law.
Classified intelligence reports indicate Cuba has purchased more than 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and discussed plans to potentially use them against US soil and Caribbean assets, raising concerns among US officials about hostile technologies in close proximity.
Taiwan appealed to President Trump to stay the course on weapons sales following his Friday comments delaying approval of a $14 billion arms sale. US Trade Representative later said Trump is 'considering' how to approach the deal.
The U.S. Department of Defense has reached framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos, and Zone 5 to acquire more than 10,000 containerized missiles, representing a major shift in weapons procurement strategy.
Ukraine is moving toward a landmark drone defense deal with the United States and has attracted interest from approximately 20 countries, capitalizing on its drone warfare expertise demonstrated during the Iran conflict that began in late February 2026. The deals include testing Ukrainian drones in the U.S. and deploying anti-drone systems like Sky Map in the Gulf region.
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 11 entities and three individuals based in Iran, China, Belarus, and the United Arab Emirates for facilitating Iran's acquisition of weapons components, including materials for Shahed drones and ballistic missiles.
Russia and China openly supported North Korea at a UN Security Council meeting on nonproliferation, with UN officials warning that DPRK's continued nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development remains a serious concern. Evidence shows vessels loading North Korean coal and iron ore at ports for export to destinations including China.
Pakistan Navy commissioned its first Chinese-built Hangor-class attack submarine in what officials called a 'historic milestone,' marking deepening defense cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad amid regional security concerns.
President Trump announced immediate 50% tariffs with no exemptions on imports from countries supplying military weapons to Iran, adding a new trade dimension to the Middle East conflict. The legal authority for such tariffs remains unclear.
European intelligence agencies report Russia is in final stages of completing phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran amid ongoing conflict. The Kremlin has denied the Financial Times report as 'lies.'
