Stocks of key American interceptor missiles have significantly decreased after the war with Iran, and the US military command warns of their "dangerous" level. This is reported by CNN, citing sources familiar with the situation, writes UNN.
Details
According to the TV channel's interlocutors, the US military has already used almost 80% of interceptor missiles for the THAAD missile defense system compared to pre-war stocks. Also, about half of the interceptor missiles for Patriot systems have been expended.
Sources note that senior US commanders warn of a "dangerous" depletion of Pentagon arsenals. At the same time, information about such a significant reduction in THAAD stocks has not been publicly disclosed before.
The shortage raises concerns among US allies
According to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), before the start of the war with Iran, the United States had about 2,200 missiles for the two most modern modifications of Patriot systems and 452 THAAD interceptor missiles.
As CNN notes, the reduction in American stocks has also raised concerns among the Gulf countries. States in the region, which largely rely on American air defense systems, fear that the missile shortage could reduce their ability to repel possible missile strikes and drone attacks from Iran.
According to officials, this issue will become especially acute in the event of further escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran, if Tehran decides to launch retaliatory strikes.