Patriot and THAAD interceptors dwindle as Iran conflict grinds on with no end in sight.
US Missile Stockpiles Shrink
America’s air defense arsenal is running thin, and the war with Iran shows no signs of stopping.
Fewer than 827 Patriot interceptors and 278 THAAD missiles remain in US stockpiles, according to a Monday report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cited by CNN. Three sources familiar with Pentagon data said the estimates track closely with internal government figures.
That’s a steep drop from pre-war levels of roughly 2,200 top-tier Patriots and 452 THAAD missiles, CSIS found. The interceptors are the US military’s main defense against incoming ballistic missiles, and CSIS estimates more than 60% of key Patriot and THAAD stocks have been fired since fighting escalated.
President Trump called stockpiles “in very good shape” aboard Air Force One Monday, though Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine warned Congress that without more funding, the Pentagon “will not get the munitions” it needs.
NBC News reported commanders are now skipping intercepts on Iranian projectiles headed for unpopulated base areas to conserve missiles.
Sen. Susan Collins told appropriators last week the shortfalls “are growing increasingly urgent.”
NEWS NOW:
