The United States military has significantly depleted its core missile stockpiles during the recent war with Iran, raising concerns over a potential ammunition shortfall in any near term future conflict.
According to CNN, the level of depletion has created what experts describe as an “imminent risk” of running low on critical munitions if another major conflict emerges in the coming years. The report cited defence specialists and three sources familiar with the latest internal assessments from the US Department of Defense.
A recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that over the past seven weeks of fighting, the US military has used at least 45 percent of its precision strike missile inventory. The same analysis indicated that at least half of its THAAD missile system interceptors and approximately 50 percent of its Patriot missile system interceptors have also been expended.
These figures closely align with classified Pentagon stockpile data, according to sources cited by CNN who are familiar with the internal evaluation.
The data stands in contrast to recent statements by former US President Donald Trump, who insisted that the United States is not facing shortages of any weapons category, despite requesting additional missile funding following the impact of the Iran war on current inventories.
Last month, Trump stated, in reference to the Pentagon funding request, “We are asking for this for many reasons beyond what we are discussing regarding Iran. We have large quantities of munitions, especially advanced ones, but we maintain them,” adding, “It is a small price to pay to ensure we remain at peak readiness.”
Recent agreements secured by the Trump administration with private defence contractors are expected to boost production. However, near term delivery of these critical munitions is likely to remain limited due to previously low procurement volumes, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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