The United States has suspended arms sales to NATO allies and Ukraine worth over $5 billion due to the ongoing shutdown, Axios reports, citing the State Department.
Denmark, Poland, and Croatia are currently unable to receive their orders, which include AMRAAM missiles, HIMARS missiles, and Aegis radars.
According to a State Department spokesperson, the current delay in deliveries "is causing serious harm to the security of allies and the American defense industry, which is forced to halt contract fulfillment."
The U.S. government has been shut down for approximately 40 days. Typically, issues regarding U.S. arms exports are reviewed by Congress, which receives the necessary information from the State Department. However, only a quarter of the State Department's staff is currently reporting to work.
