The West has failed to supply Ukraine with air defense systems under the PURL program, Politico reports.

According to the publication, the defense industry has been unable to ramp up production or speed up approval procedures for older systems to meet Kyiv’s urgent air defense needs. Although European countries are purchasing weapons from US stockpiles for transfer to Ukraine, the process is complicated by limited industrial capacity and lengthy delivery timelines from Washington. The main issue concerns missiles for Patriot air defense systems.

An aide to a US congressman, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as troubling and warned that it does not bode well, stressing the need for urgent action.

The article notes that Patriot systems themselves are difficult to obtain due to shortages within the United States. Earlier, Politico reported that in early July last year Washington halted shipments of air defense missiles and other munitions to Kyiv over concerns that US stockpiles had fallen too low.

The PURL initiative was launched in August and allows NATO members to voluntarily purchase US weapons. According to Politico, around $5 billion was raised for Ukraine under the program in 2025. About three quarters of NATO’s 32 members joined the initiative, though the alliance is now seeking ways to sustain it.