Former Vice President Mike Pence stated on Sunday that the depletion of U.S. weapons stockpiles due to the war in Iran has not hindered Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia. Speaking from Kyiv, Ukraine, Pence told CNN’s "State of the Union" that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed their military maintains the capacity to manage drone warfare.
The U.S. military has used approximately 80% of its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and roughly half of its Patriot interceptors since the conflict in Iran began, according to reports from CNN and analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). THAAD and Patriot systems are advanced missile defense technologies used to intercept incoming aerial threats.
During his visit, Pence addressed the National Prayer Breakfast in Ukraine and met with President Zelensky to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion. Zelensky reportedly requested that the U.S. provide 5% of its remaining Patriot missile inventory to help Ukraine protect its energy infrastructure during the upcoming winter. Pence noted that Russia has recently increased its use of high-arc ballistic missiles and drones against urban centers.
The scale of the supply shortage is significant for U.S. defense readiness and international aid. U.S. stockpiles for Patriot interceptors are not expected to return to pre-war levels until mid-2029, a multiyear replenishment project estimated by CSIS. For Ukraine, the immediate impact centers on the winter months, when energy infrastructure is at higher risk of strikes; Zelensky told Pence that securing 5% of the remaining U.S. Patriot inventory—a specific fraction of the thousands of missiles typically held in such stockpiles—is necessary to maintain utility services and safety for households through the cold season.
The situation sets a precedent for how the U.S. manages simultaneous military commitments in different regions. If the U.S. fulfills the request for 5% of its remaining Patriot inventory, it would reduce the resources available for the ongoing war in Iran or other global contingencies. What happens next depends on whether the U.S. government approves the transfer of these specific defense systems before the winter season begins, as Russian forces are expected to target the Ukrainian power grid in the coming months.