On June 15, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Fox News that the United States had redirected some of the counter-drone systems previously deployed in Ukraine to the Middle East to protect American military bases. The decision was made amid the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict and threats from Iranian drones and missiles. Hegseth emphasized that the changing nature of modern conflicts, where even small drones pose a serious threat, is forcing the Pentagon to reallocate resources to ensure the safety of American forces.

"The war is changing before our eyes, and we have a responsibility to protect our people"“We are talking about the redeployment of air defense systems,” he said, answering questions from congressmen.

According to CNN, the technology in question is the redirection of technologies such as the APKWS II laser missiles used in the VAMPIRE systems, which are effective against Shahed drones. These systems were delivered to Ukraine in late 2023 and allowed for the cost-saving Patriot missiles to intercept Russian drones. The exact number of systems being relocated is not specified, but Hegseth said the decision reflects the priority of protecting American assets in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria, where attacks by Iranian proxy groups have become more frequent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed disappointment in an interview with ABC News on June 8, saying the United States had redirected 20 laser-guided missiles originally intended for Ukraine to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

"We were counting on these missiles to defend against Russian drones, but they were sent to the Middle East," - Zelensky said, noting that without American support, Ukraine’s losses on the front will increase.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the decision was made by Minister Hegseth on May 29, marking the first public acknowledgement of the redistribution of military aid to the detriment of Kyiv.

The air defense deployment comes amid Israel's Operation Rising Lion, which began on June 13, when the Israeli Air Force attacked Iranian military targets, including a warehouse in Shiraz. Iran responded with Operation True Promise 3, firing dozens of missiles at Israeli cities. That has increased the strain on U.S. forces in the region, where bases in Qatar and Jordan are under threat from Iranian-allied groups. The U.S. has beefed up its presence in the Gulf, sending more Patriot and THAAD systems, Reuters reported.