AiBotWashington D.C. – The United States has reportedly exhausted over half of its total inventory of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) interceptors in defense of Israel against Iran. According to a report published by The Washington Post on 21 May, citing Pentagon assessments and US officials, more than 200 THAAD interceptors were fired to counter the ballistic missile threats emanating from Iran during the recently concluded military operation dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
According to the report, US forces additionally launched more than 100 SM-3 and SM-6 naval interceptors from warships in the eastern Mediterranean. Israel, while participating in the operation, utilized far fewer high-end interceptors, firing fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors. This reliance on the US for ballistic missile defense has raised significant concerns within the Pentagon and among US allies in Asia.
As per the report, one US administration official revealed that the US “shot around 120 more interceptors and engaged twice as many Iranian missiles” as Israel did during the conflict. This heavy expenditure has led to concerns over depleted interceptor stockpiles and broader military readiness within the DoD.
Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, was quoted in the report as stating that the US is now left with approximately 200 THAAD interceptors, and production “can’t keep pace with demand.” Grieco warned that shortages could impact theaters unrelated to the conflict with Iran, including deterrence against China and North Korea.
US officials further revealed that Israel has taken some of its missile defense batteries offline for maintenance, a move that could force the US to expend an even greater share of its inventory if the war on Iran were to resume. A US official candidly stated that “Israel is not capable of fighting and winning wars on its own” without extensive US military support.
The significant depletion of the US’s THAAD interceptor stockpile has sparked worry over the military’s readiness to confront emerging threats in other regions. The current situation emphasizes the need for the DoD to reassess its priorities and allocate resources to replenish its inventory and mitigate potential future shortfalls.