Shutdown Blocks $5B Weapons—NATO Left Holding Missiles
KEY POINTS
- •The U.S. government shutdown has delayed over $5 billion in weapon exports to NATO allies and Ukraine.
- •A senior State Department official highlighted that this situation harms both U.S. industry and international partners.
- •Furloughs have significantly reduced staffing, slowing the arms sales process that typically runs smoothly.
As the government shutdown hits day 40, $5 billion worth of U.S. missile exports—featuring AMRAAMs, HIMARS, and Aegis combat systems—are stuck in bureaucratic limbo, leaving Denmark, Croatia, and Poland waiting like guests at a restaurant that forgot their to-go order. The State Department's Political-Military Affairs bureau is surviving on just 25% staff, thanks to frantic furloughs, which has turned normally smooth arms deals into congressional episode of ‘Waiting for Godot.’ While Democrats get blamed for holding up sales, Republicans point out China and Russia aren’t playing shutdown games—they're busy watching popcorn. Tommy Pigott blamed Democrats, James Risch blamed Democrats, but the missiles? Still sitting.
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So $5B worth of American missiles are on pause because Congress took a 40-day coffee break. Meanwhile, China and Russia are probably ordering lunch and lobbyists without missing a beat. Nothing like watching the U.S. bureaucracy put NATO on ‘read.’
When your government shutdown stalls $5 billion in weapons sales but Putin and Xi stay open for business—guess diplomacy’s now operating on dial-up while the Cold War streams in 4K.
Fun fact: The U.S. shut down critical weapon exports including AMRAAMs and HIMARS, turning Poland and Denmark into arms buyers in a ‘coming soon’ section of an arms catalog. Spoiler: Russia’s not waiting.
Source: Axios | Published: 11/9/2025 | Author: Stef W. Kight
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