US nearly exhausted long-range missile stockpiles amid Iran war — Reuters
Photo: Tomahawk missile (US Navy)
During the five months of war with Iran, the US military has used up virtually its entire stockpile of high-precision, long-range ATACMS and PrSM missiles. The shortage also affects Tomahawk missiles, according to Reuters.
ATACMS and PrSM stocks almost depleted
According to three sources familiar with the data, the US has used almost all of its available surface-to-surface missiles—ATACMS and the newer PrSMs, which are gradually set to replace the ATACMS. The sources did not specify exactly how many units remain in storage.
These missiles cost over a million dollars each and are considered critically important not only for operations in the Middle East but also for a potential confrontation with China. One of the sources explained that the depletion of stockpiles is linked to the Trump administration's decision to avoid riskier methods of striking targets in Iran, particularly strikes by manned aircraft.
Donald Trump launched the war against Iran in conjunction with Israel in February, expecting a quick end to the conflict. But as the fighting drags on, the agency's sources express concern that the decline in missile stockpiles could limit the US ability to deter other adversaries, including Russia and China.
The White House offers a different take on the situation: Trump stated that the US has far more ammunition than anyone else in the world, and the defense industry is currently producing weapons at a record pace. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell adds that the US military has everything it needs to carry out missions whenever and wherever the president deems necessary.
Patriots, THAAD, and Tomahawks also on the brink
The shortage has affected more than just offensive weapons. According to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), from February through July, the US used up about 65% of its Patriot interceptor missiles, and THAAD stocks have fallen by at least 38% compared to the start of the war. According to two Reuters sources, these figures match internal US military statistics.
Additionally, according to one of the sources, the US has used slightly less than half of the global stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are typically launched from ships. Reuters was unable to independently verify this figure. Raytheon has already reached a preliminary multi-year agreement with the Pentagon to ramp up Tomahawk production amid Washington’s efforts to replenish depleted arsenals.
Separately, the agency's sources noted that military commanders had been warning the president for weeks about dwindling stocks of defense systems, including the Patriot. One US official denied any link between these warnings and the decision not to launch a new large-scale strike against Iran, attributing it instead to pressure from Gulf states.
US President Donald Trump stated in late July that Washington had not yet made a decision regarding granting Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles.
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