U.S. Burns Through Half of Key Missiles in Iran War as Deterrence Weakens Globally
Updated
Updated · Foreign Policy · Aug 27
U.S. Burns Through Half of Key Missiles in Iran War as Deterrence Weakens Globally
3 articles · Updated · Foreign Policy · Aug 27
Summary
CSIS estimates the United States has expended as much as half of some key offensive and defensive missiles in the Iran war, creating a new constraint on White House military options.
About 1,200 of roughly 2,500 Patriot interceptors may already be gone; each costs around $4 million, and replacement typically takes about 36 months from contract to delivery.
Tomahawks, THAAD interceptors, SM-3s, SM-6s, JASSMs, ATACMs and PrSMs have also reportedly been used heavily, stretching both strike and missile-defense inventories.
Those drawdowns are forcing trade-offs across Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, with analysts warning they weaken deterrence against China and make further aid to Ukraine harder.
Production is rising from about 350 Patriots a year to 650 and could reach 2,000 by 2030, but analysts say only faster congressional funding and contracting can close the near-term gap.