The US military’s stockpiles of crucial air defense missiles, including Patriot and THAAD interceptors, are severely depleted due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the US has fewer than 827 Patriot interceptors and fewer than 278 THAAD ballistic missile interceptors remaining in its stockpiles.

Impact on US Military Capabilities

The shortage of these missiles could impact the US military’s ability to engage on other fronts, including potential conflicts with China or North Korea. The CSIS report notes that the US military has fired more than 60% of its key Patriot and THAAD interceptors since the start of the conflict with Iran.

President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to replenish the US military’s stockpiles, but the process is expected to take years due to the lead time required to produce these complex systems. The Pentagon has accelerated its efforts to expand interceptor missile production, but it is unclear when the expansion will lead to results.

Concerns Over US Military Readiness

The depletion of the US military’s stockpiles has raised concerns over its readiness to respond to potential threats. The CSIS report notes that the US military may be forced to take more risks with interceptions, which could put US troops and interests at risk.

The issue has been exacerbated by the war with Iran, and lawmakers from both parties have argued that the shortfalls in munitions are a long-term problem that requires bipartisan support to resolve. The pending request from the Pentagon for supplemental defense funding includes several provisions related to the stockpile, but it is unclear whether Congress will approve the request.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.