Poland has not received signals suggesting delays in Patriot deliveries, says defence minister

WARSAW – Warsaw has not received any signals suggesting that possible delays of American weapons deliveries to Poland could affect Patriot systems, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on May 4.

Washington has warned European allies including Britain, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia to expect long delivery delays for US weapons as the war against Iran drains stockpiles, the Financial Times reported on May 1, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters reported in April that US officials have informed some European counterparts that some previously contracted weapons deliveries are likely to be delayed as the Iran war continues to draw on weapons stocks.

Patriot air defence systems are crucial for strengthening missile defences.

“Regarding Patriot batteries, we have no indication of any delays,” Mr Kosiniak-Kamysz was quoted as saying by PAP news agency. He added that delays could occur with other equipment, but not on a scale that would “cause jitters”.

Early April, Mr Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could disrupt deliveries of US-made air defence systems and other arms supplies to European countries including Ukraine and Poland. REUTERS