The US military has exhausted nearly 80% of its interceptors for a key missile defense system, with senior US military commanders warning that the Pentagon’s munitions stockpile is ‘dangerously low’. This depletion is largely due to the war with Iran, where the US has burned through nearly four-fifths of its THAAD missile inventory and roughly half of its Patriot interceptors since the start of the conflict.

Impact on National Security

The shortage of air defense systems could impact the American military’s ability to fight a potential future war with China, Russia, or even North Korea. The lack of interceptors means that conventional attacks can backfire if suicide drones start making it through in large numbers. The US Army has also used ‘virtually all’ of its highly accurate long-range, surface-to-air weapons during the conflict.

The stockpile issue was raised prior to President Trump’s decision to cancel new strikes on Iran, marking at least the second time in recent weeks that Trump’s senior military advisers have specifically voiced concerns about the dwindling number of key US munitions during discussions about potentially escalating the conflict with Iran.

Replenishment Efforts

Replenishment rates are low for key missiles, with the Pentagon receiving roughly 15 new Tomahawks and 20 new Patriot missiles per month. It is estimated that it would take three or more years to rebuild THAAD inventories to pre-Iran war levels. The Defense Department has accelerated its efforts to expand interceptor missile production, including two deals inked this week to boost Patriot and THAAD rocket motor manufacturing.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.