الوسم: US Army

The US Army has depleted a large portion of its stockpile of highly precise long-range missiles during its five-month conflict with Iran, according to three individuals familiar with the data. This raises concerns about the military’s readiness for future engagements.

Primarily, these missiles are surface-to-surface weapons, including Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). Two sources indicated that the U.S. has almost entirely used these weapons.

The extent of the depletion of ATACMS and PrSM missiles has not been publicly disclosed before. These long-range munitions, each costing over $1 million, are crucial for precise strikes from a safe distance. ATACMS have been instrumental in Ukraine’s efforts, enabling Kyiv to target locations within Russia. The newer PrSM system is designed to replace the shorter-range ATACMS with a more advanced technology.

The significant use of these missiles suggests that President Donald Trump might have to resort to more dangerous options, such as piloted bombing missions, if large-scale attacks on Iran are renewed. The exact remaining quantities of each missile are confidential.

Initially, Trump launched the Iran confrontation in February in coordination with Israel, expecting the conflict to be brief. However, as the fighting persists, worried officials believe the dwindling missile reserves could limit U.S. options to deter adversaries like Russia and China.

One official mentioned that while Central Command — overseeing U.S. forces in the Middle East — has nearly exhausted its land-based missile supplies, it has been able to restock from U.S. military stockpiles elsewhere globally. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity.

In response to inquiries, the White House quoted Trump, stating that the U.S. possesses “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and “far more than we need.” Trump also claimed that defense manufacturers are currently producing more munitions than ever before, expanding production capacities.

Experts agree that certain munitions, such as artillery shells and various missiles, are being produced at record levels. Still, there are concerns that supplies might fall short if the conflict prolongs.

Lockheed Martin, which manufactures ATACMS, PrSMs, and the THAAD missile defense system, did not immediately comment on the stockpile status or Trump’s claims. Raytheon, producer of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot interceptors, also declined to respond promptly.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized the strength of the U.S. military, affirming that it has all necessary resources to execute commands and has carried out successful operations. He stressed that the U.S. maintains a robust arsenal to safeguard its interests.

Current supply figures have circulated within the government amid tense internal discussions about how much longer the U.S. can sustain strikes against Iran without depleting stockpiles to levels that would hinder responses elsewhere.

One official noted that the reduction in ATACMS and PrSMs results from a conscious decision by the Trump administration to avoid riskier tactics, such as using piloted aircraft for bombing. These long-distance weapons are valuable against enemies with strong air defenses, like China, and have already been used inside Iran, according to a March report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The report stated that PrSM stocks were initially low because the system is relatively new, though the military plans to order significant quantities for 2027. The military has said ATACMS are being phased out as production shifts toward PrSMs.

Military leaders have warned the president for weeks about declining stocks of defensive systems like Patriot interceptors and THAAD missiles, which are among the most effective in the U.S. arsenal. Last week, some media reported that Trump decided not to launch another major offensive in Iran, partly due to warnings about depleted stockpiles. A U.S. official disputes this, claiming that the decision was influenced by pressure from Gulf allies.

The conflict in the Middle East has sparked debates about whether Trump has the authority to extend hostilities against Iran without congressional approval, as no formal war declaration or authorization has been submitted.

Last week, CSIS estimated that from February to July, about 65% of Patriot interceptors had been spent, and the number of THAAD interceptors had decreased by at least 38% since the conflict’s start. These systems are essential for defending against ballistic missile threats.

While Reuters has not verified these figures independently, two sources confirmed that the data align with internal U.S. assessments. The U.S. also used nearly half of its global stock of Tomahawk cruise missiles, typically launched from naval vessels, since the war began.

Raytheon has reached a tentative multi-year agreement with the Pentagon to ramp up Tomahawk production and replenish stockpiles across other munitions.