Washington has delayed deliveries of purchased US weapons to European countries, including to the Baltic states, Reuters reports, citing five unnamed sources.
The delays are due to the war against Iran, which has begun to stretch US supplies of some critical weapons.
Reuters did not disclose the exact countries affected, but its sources said some bordering Russia and the weaponry included “various kinds of ammunition” without disclosing the exact type of weapons.
The weapons were purchased under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, where European countries buy American-made weapons with the approval of the US government.
Washington has been urging European countries to buy more American weapons, including under the FMS programme.
However, “such weapons deliveries are often delayed, causing frustration in European capitals, where some officials are increasingly looking at weapons systems made within Europe”, Reuters said.
“Lithuania was informed by Pentagon officials of possible delays in the delivery of ammunition purchased from the United States due to the conflict in the Middle East,” Lithuania’s Defence Ministry confirmed. (LRT)