Air defense stockpiles near depletion amid surge in missile use

Saturday 21 March 2026 - 12:11

By: Dakir Madiha

Air defense stockpiles near depletion amid surge in missile use

Global air defense stockpiles are nearing exhaustion as the United States, Israel, and their allies consume weapons at a pace that is raising concerns about the sustainability of ongoing operations and broader military readiness.

Armin Papperger, chief executive of German defense group Rheinmetall, said on March 19 that air defense inventories in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East are “almost empty.” He warned that if the conflict continues for another month, missile supplies could be effectively depleted.

The warning reflects mounting pressure on Western arsenals since the launch of the military campaign in early March. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the United States used around 319 Tomahawk cruise missiles and thousands of additional munitions in the first six days alone, at a reported cost of 11.3 billion dollars.

Although the pace of spending has slowed, the strain on stockpiles remains significant. The Pentagon has shifted from costly long-range precision weapons to cheaper guided bombs, reducing daily operational costs to about 500 million dollars. However, the initial phase of the conflict caused substantial depletion.

Air defense systems have been particularly affected. US forces fired roughly 140 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors and more than 150 THAAD interceptors in the first week. By comparison, only 39 new THAAD interceptors are scheduled for delivery next year, highlighting the gap between production and wartime consumption.

A key challenge lies in the cost imbalance between offensive and defensive systems. Iranian Shahed-136 drones cost between 20,000 and 50,000 dollars each, while Patriot interceptors used to destroy them can cost up to 4 million dollars per launch. Analysts estimate the cost ratio can reach as high as 70 to 1.

This disparity has prompted efforts to develop lower-cost alternatives. The Pentagon is exploring interceptor drones priced as low as 2,500 dollars, while defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin have increased output. The company delivered a record 620 Patriot interceptors in 2025, though production still falls short of current demand levels.

The conflict is accelerating what analysts describe as a multi-year rearmament cycle. Following meetings with defense contractors, US officials said companies have committed to significantly expanding production of advanced interception systems. Rheinmetall’s order backlog has grown to nearly 70 billion euros, with the company projecting strong revenue growth in the coming years.

Despite plans to scale up manufacturing, analysts warn that rebuilding depleted stockpiles will take years. The rapid consumption of weapons in a short period has created strategic risks, particularly for other regions where military readiness depends on available reserves.