US military depleted most long-range precision missiles during Iran war, sources say

Tuesday 04 - 10:39

By: Sahili Aya

US military depleted most long-range precision missiles during Iran war, sources say

The United States military has used a significant portion of its long-range precision missile inventory during its five-month conflict with Iran, raising concerns among officials about future operational readiness, according to sources familiar with defense data.

The weapons heavily used during the conflict include the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), two advanced surface-to-surface systems designed for long-range, accurate strikes. Two sources said the United States has used “virtually all” of its available stockpiles of these missiles.

The depletion of key munitions has triggered internal concerns about whether current reserves would be sufficient in the event of another major military confrontation.

Missile inventories under pressure

The US military has relied extensively on precision-guided weapons during recent operations, reflecting a broader shift toward advanced strike capabilities that allow forces to engage targets from greater distances.

According to sources, the United States has also consumed a significant amount of its Tomahawk cruise missile inventory, using slightly less than half of its global stockpile during the conflict.

The scale of expenditure has highlighted challenges facing the Pentagon as it seeks to maintain military readiness while supporting ongoing operations.

Concerns over future preparedness

Defense officials have increasingly focused on the ability to replenish weapons inventories quickly, particularly as global security tensions continue to rise.

The reduction in missile reserves could influence US planning for potential future conflicts, especially against opponents with advanced military capabilities requiring sustained use of precision weapons.

Maintaining sufficient stockpiles has become a strategic priority for Washington, as military planners assess both immediate operational needs and long-term defense requirements.

Production capacity becomes key issue

The situation has also renewed attention on the defense industrial base and the ability of manufacturers to increase production of advanced missile systems.

Expanding manufacturing capacity could take significant time due to complex supply chains and the technical requirements involved in producing sophisticated weapons.

As the United States evaluates lessons from the Iran conflict, officials are expected to examine how to balance operational demands with the need to preserve adequate reserves for future crises.