The Trump administration has approved $17.1 billion in interceptor missile sales to Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain as U.S. stockpiles dwindle from the Iran conflict. The weapons packages represent expansions of previous 2019 and 2024 sales, with Kuwait receiving the largest share at $9.3 billion.

Since the February 28 war began, the U.S. military has expended more than 1,300 Patriot missiles, while Gulf allies fired approximately 600 defending against Iranian attacks. American manufacturers produce roughly 600 interceptors annually, meaning the conflict has consumed three years of production. The sales include about 4,250 missiles total, though Raytheon and Lockheed Martin cannot fulfill orders quickly enough to meet demand.

Pentagon officials express concern that diverting munitions to the Middle East compromises readiness for other global threats, particularly China. Some lawmakers criticize the administration's repeated use of emergency authorities to bypass congressional approval, calling it evidence of inadequate war planning. Representative Gregory Meeks called the $25 billion in total sales authorization a sign of unpreparedness.

The missile shortage reflects broader production bottlenecks affecting Ukraine and other allies awaiting Patriot systems. This creates a strategic dilemma for defense contractors caught between replenishing U.S. inventories and fulfilling lucrative international contracts.