Europe's defence readiness faces fuel shortages amid Saudi export slowdown
European leaders warn that limited oil supplies could hamper military operations if Russia attacks a NATO member, after Saudi Aramco signaled possible delivery cuts.
At a G7 summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said member states will meet soon to deepen energy collaboration, aiming to protect defence readiness. The issue is the overall supply of petroleum products needed for trucks, armored vehicles, generators, naval vessels and aircraft, plus the ability to refine and distribute them where required. Saudi Aramco has alerted European customers that October crude deliveries could be reduced after the East-West pipeline was hit.
The European Union mandates that countries keep reserves equal to at least 90 days of net imports or 61 days of consumption, but these stocks can consist of varied crude and products. While Brussels reports no immediate physical fuel shortage, it notes sharp price swings for diesel and jet fuel, with 40% of imports coming through Hormuz. A conventional conflict on NATO’s eastern flank would therefore be constrained primarily by fuel availability, prompting an unprecedented collective alarm.
