Trump on interceptor shortage: 'We need more, we gave enormous amounts to Ukraine'

US President Donald Trump responded to reports of shortages of interceptors and ammunition in the US military, amid the war with Iran and Ukraine's requests. He said the US needs more interceptors but stressed that the Biden administration gave enormous amounts to Ukraine for free. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the US military has fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptors and fewer than 250 THAAD interceptors. Zelensky requested 300 additional interceptors before winter, but Trump refused.

US President Donald Trump addressed reporters last night (Friday) regarding shortages of interceptors and ammunition in the US military, amid the war with Iran and Ukraine's repeated requests for additional air defense systems. When asked if the US would comply with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for additional Patriot interceptors and long-range missiles, Trump replied: "We need more all the time, and we need more interceptors. But we gave enormous amounts to Ukraine, Biden's people did it, and they were given for free. Without payment. Billions, hundreds of billions of dollars, and fortunately, I built a very large stockpile during my term." He said the US does not suffer from shortages in all types of ammunition. "We have certain types of ammunition that are very powerful, and we have an unlimited supply of them. In other types, the stockpile is somewhat more limited, and we receive supplies daily." Trump added that US defense companies are building new factories "for Patriot, for Tomahawk, for everything." According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, the US military has fewer than 1,000 Patriot interceptors and fewer than 250 THAAD interceptors. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that since the outbreak of the war with Iran, the US has used nearly half of its Tomahawk missile stockpile and a significant portion of its ATACMS and precision-guided munitions. Zelensky has warned in recent weeks of a severe shortage of Patriot interceptors in Ukraine. According to reports in the US, at a meeting at the White House on July 28, he asked Trump for 300 interceptors before winter, but the president refused. Meanwhile, Trump denied reports that he is dissatisfied with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth due to dwindling stockpiles. "Pete is highly respected in the military and has made tremendous improvements," Trump wrote on Truth Social.