Europe’s missile defense network is facing an acute shortage of Patriot interceptors after the United States burned through a large share of its stockpile during the war against Iran. Associated Press, citing Pentagon officials, reports that the ammunition situation for Patriot systems deployed in Europe has become critical.

According to the agency, the United States fired about 1,500 Patriot surface-to-air missiles during combat operations against Iran. Before the war began, the American stockpile was estimated at roughly 2,300 interceptors.

A substantial part of those reserves was transferred to the Middle East, sharply weakening Europe’s ability to counter ballistic missile attacks. AP says the remaining stocks may now be insufficient to repel even a single ballistic missile strike.

One Pentagon official gave an even harsher assessment of what this could mean in a confrontation with Russia. In his view, if Moscow were to launch ballistic missiles at targets in Europe, NATO could be hit repeatedly without having enough interceptors to mount an effective response.

The article also links the critical state of European missile defense to CIA Director Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow. AP claims Washington was deeply concerned about the possibility of Russian strikes against its European allies and that Ratcliffe sought clarity from Moscow regarding its intentions.

Germany, meanwhile, is preparing to launch domestic production of Patriot systems. The plant is expected to begin operations as early as September this year.

But producing more launchers will not solve the immediate problem. Europe is facing a stark imbalance: Germany may eventually have enough Patriot systems, while the missiles needed to make those systems useful could remain in critically short supply.