The world's stockpiles of missiles for air defense systems are almost exhausted due to the escalation of the war in the Middle East, said Armin Papperger, CEO of German defense concern Rheinmetall, in an interview with CNBC.
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“I think that currently the warehouses of both Europeans, Americans, and Middle Eastern countries are empty or almost empty,” Papperger emphasized.
He said the demand for air defense systems and ammunition was unprecedented and was reaching all regions of the world. He warned that the situation could deteriorate sharply in the near future.
“If the war in the Middle East lasts another month, I think we will have almost no missiles left available,” said the director of the German defense concern Rheinmetall.
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Papperger explained that modern warfare creates a serious imbalance: cheap drones force the use of expensive missiles to intercept them. In his opinion, only a combined use of various defenses can be an effective response.
“There is a huge demand for missiles and air defense systems,” the head of Rheinmetall added.
The escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran could directly affect the supply of American weapons to Ukraine, including missiles for Patriot systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stressed that the main concern is a possible reduction in supplies, as the US is forced to meet its own needs and the needs of its allies in the region.
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Similar problems are being recorded in France. As Defense Express reports, Paris announced a rapid reduction in stocks of MICA air-to-air missiles, which are actively used to intercept Iranian Shahed drones with Rafale fighters. To support the United Arab Emirates in repelling Iranian attacks, France deployed 12 of these aircraft.
Analysts point out that MICA missiles, designed for air combat at ranges of up to 80 km, are currently being used against much cheaper drones. This leads to rapid depletion of stocks and calls into question the economic feasibility of their use.
Experts believe that the situation could be a signal for Ukraine, which is considering purchasing Rafale fighter jets. The potential deal is estimated at €22.5 billion, and the weapons are expected to be versatile enough to combat various types of threats. However, France’s current experience shows that even modern missiles can quickly become exhausted in a war against massive drone attacks.
It was previously reported that Zelensky openly admitted to the shortage of air defense missiles, and European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius assured that he would visit European manufacturers to speed up the transfer of missiles to Ukraine.
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