The U.S. military used nearly half of its missile stockpiles during the war with Iran, including missiles used by Patriot air defense systems.
The information was shared by CNN, which cited experts on the subject and three unidentified sources familiar with Pentagon assessments of ammunition levels.
A new analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) states that over the past seven weeks of fighting in Iran, the U.S. used at least 45% of its stock of precision-guided missiles.
In particular, it used at least half of its stock of THAAD missile defense interceptors, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, and nearly 50% of its Patriot air defense interceptor missiles.
Additionally, about 30% of the stock of Tomahawk cruise missiles was reportedly used, along with more than 20% of long-range air-to-surface missiles and around 20% of SM-3 and SM-6 interceptor missiles. According to CNN, it will take the United States between 4 and 5 years to replenish these stockpiles.
According to experts and individuals familiar with internal Department of Defense assessments, this situation has created a “short-term risk” of ammunition shortages in the event of a conflict that could arise in the coming years.
Despite this, Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson, said in an official statement to CNN that the United States has everything it needs to “carry out operations at the time and place of the president’s choosing.”
Photo: Pentagon. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
