US government shutdown halts weapons deliveries to Poland and other NATO members

The ongoing US government shutdown has disrupted deliveries of American weapons worth more than USD 5 billion to NATO allies and Ukraine, including shipments to Poland, Denmark and Croatia, according to a senior State Department official cited by Axios.

Cancelled flights shown on a departures board at San Francisco International Airport, California, November 7, 2025. The FAA has reduced air traffic at major airports by 10 percent due to the ongoing US government shutdown.

Photo: EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

The shutdown, now in its 40th day, has halted several foreign military sales, including AMRAAM missiles, Aegis combat systems and HIMARS launchers.

"This is actually really harming both our allies and partners and US industry to actually deliver a lot of these critical capabilities overseas," the official told Axios.

The delays stem from the partial closure of the US government, which has left many State Department employees – responsible for processing foreign arms transfers – on unpaid leave.

The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs was reportedly operating last month with only about a quarter of its usual staff capacity, slowing approvals and export logistics.

The Donald Trump administration has yet to indicate when the impasse might end, as Congress remains deadlocked over the federal budget.

(ał)

Source: IAR, axios.com