US lacks missiles despite half-billion dollar Patriot rush due to production limits
Photo: Iranian missile weapons (Getty Images)
Overnight, Iran attacked US military bases in Jordan. Videos of massive Patriot system salvos allowed OSINT analysts to estimate the number of interceptor missiles used, according to Clash Report.
According to OSINT analysts' calculations, at least 60 interceptors may have been launched into the air. Meanwhile, some estimates suggest over 100 missiles.
The high number of launches is related to the specifics of Patriot system deployment. According to Clash Report, American doctrine envisages launching 2-4 interceptor missiles per single target.
Even more missiles may be needed to combat cluster munitions. After the carrier is destroyed, such munitions disperse submunitions, creating additional targets for the air defense system.
The cost of one PAC-3 MSE interceptor is estimated at approximately $4-5 million.
If over 60 such missiles were used during a single episode, their total cost could amount to approximately $240-300 million. If estimates of around 100 interceptors are correct, the sum could reach $500 million.
Thus, if higher estimates are confirmed, this involves the potential use of missiles worth about half a billion dollars within minutes.
Against this backdrop, the question of PAC-3 stockpiles arises. According to the agency, months of intensive use have already led to the expenditure of a significant portion of the American stockpile of these interceptors, while production rates do not allow for quick compensation of their consumption at this level of use.
What is happening between the US and Iran now
Recently, Iran and the US exchanged strikes on ships. In particular, American forces struck three of Tehran's oil tankers after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles at two US warships.
Meanwhile, Trump stated that global markets' dependence on the Strait of Hormuz could decrease thanks to new oil supply routes through the Middle East.
And Vice President JD Vance frankly responded to the question of when the war with Iran might end. He doesn't know.
