US Shutdown Freezes Arms Shipments To Ukraine And NATO

• 9.11.2025, 16:26

Arms exports worth more than $5 billion have been suspended.

The prolonged U.S. shutdown has delayed more than $5 billion worth of U.S. arms exports intended to support NATO allies and Ukraine, writes Axios.

One U.S. State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the shutdown is hurting both U.S. allies and partners and U.S. industry, which "ships many of these critical assets overseas."

The officials said the shutdown has affected arms shipments, particularly AMRAAM missiles, Aegis and HIMARS combat systems, to allies such as Denmark, Croatia and Poland.

The ultimate destination of the exports is not clear, but weapons sold to NATO allies are often transferred to help Ukraine, the officials said.

The official said the pending transactions include both arms sales directly from the U.S. government to NATO allies and the licensing of private U.S. defense companies to export weapons.

The process for such sales is usually straightforward and not controversial. The Arms Export Control Act requires Congress to review arms sales proposals.

As a result of the shutdown, many State Department employees whose job it is to brief congressional committee staffers - and make sure the process is completed - have been furloughed, causing a slowdown.

The official says that last month the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs had about a quarter of its normal staff to support arms sales.