Washington (HRNW)- US media has claimed that the missile stockpiles of America’s advanced air defense systems have declined significantly following the recent conflict with Iran, raising concerns within the US military leadership.
According to a report by the American broadcaster CNN, the US military has used approximately 80 percent of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interceptors since the conflict began, while nearly half of the missiles used by the Patriot air defense system have also been expended.
Citing informed sources and a recent military inventory review, the report said that senior US military commanders have privately expressed concern that the Pentagon’s overall stockpile of defensive weapons and missile interceptors has declined to a dangerously low level.
According to CNN, concerns over the depletion of Patriot missile inventories had previously been reported, but this is the first time claims have emerged of a significant shortage of THAAD interceptors.
The report stated that replenishing these stockpiles could pose a major challenge for the US Department of Defense, particularly in maintaining military readiness and preparing for any future operations.
However, the US Department of Defense did not immediately comment on the CNN report.
According to defence experts, manufacturing missiles for advanced air defense systems requires considerable time and financial resources. If the reported decline in stockpiles is accurate, the United States may need to further expand its defence production capacity and strengthen its supply chain.
The THAAD and Patriot systems are among the United States’ most important air defense platforms, designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles, drones, and other aerial threats before they reach their intended targets.
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