The United States has significantly depleted key missile stockpiles during its recent conflict with Iran, raising concerns about military readiness in other regions. Officials say the scale and speed of weapons use have exposed limits in production capacity and strategic reserves.
The war, which began in late February and paused under a ceasefire in April, has already cost tens of billions of dollars. At the same time, it has forced the Pentagon to divert resources from Europe and Asia, affecting its broader defence posture.
Heavy Munitions Use Exposes Limits in U.S. Stockpiles
Since the start of the conflict, the U.S. military has used large quantities of advanced munitions originally intended for high-end warfare scenarios. According to reporting by The New York Times, around 1,100 long-range stealth cruise missiles known as JASSM-ER have been expended, leaving roughly 1,500 remaining in inventory. These missiles are designed for strikes against heavily defended targets at distances exceeding 600 miles.
The Pentagon has also fired more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles during the campaign. According to the same report, this figure is roughly ten times the number typically procured annually. A separate study cited by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that about 3,000 Tomahawks remain in stock, raising concerns about sustainability in a prolonged or parallel conflict.
Air defence systems have faced similar pressure. More than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles have been used, each costing nearly $4 million. According to internal Pentagon estimates referenced in the reporting, this exceeds the total number produced in 2025, which stood at around 600 units. Ground-based systems, including Precision Strike Missiles and ATACMS, have also been deployed in large numbers, further reducing available reserves.
Officials acknowledge that these drawdowns have required shifting weapons from other theatres. According to Pentagon information reviewed by The New York Times, resources have been redirected from both Europe and Asia, leaving those regions with reduced capacity to respond to potential threats. In Asia, for instance, interceptors from the THAAD system in South Korea have been reassigned, marking the first such redeployment.
Rising Costs and Delayed Production Complicate Recovery Efforts
The financial cost of the conflict has also been substantial. Estimates from independent analysts place total spending between $25 billion and $35 billion so far. According to the American Enterprise Institute, this figure reflects operational expenses, munitions replacement, and equipment losses incurred during the campaign.
Early phases of the war were particularly resource-intensive. Defence officials told lawmakers that$5.6 billion worth of munitions were used in just the first two days. According to congressional sources cited in The Washington Post, the overall cost has exceeded $1 billion per day at certain points during the conflict.
Beyond immediate expenditures, the Pentagon faces challenges in replenishing depleted stockpiles. According toSenator Jack Reed, restoring inventories at current production rates could take years. Although agreements have been reached with defence contractors to expand manufacturing capacity, including plans to increase output of precision-guided munitions and missile interceptors, implementation has been delayed due to funding constraints.
The administration is expected to request additional funding from Congress, with figures likely ranging between $80 billion and $100 billion. According to U.S. officials cited by The Washington Post, this request would cover replenishment of munitions, repair of damaged equipment, and broader operational costs. Earlier proposals had exceeded $200 billion but were revised in light of the broader defence budget.
At the same time, the conflict has highlighted structural concerns about reliance on expensive weapons systems. Analysts note that the high cost of interceptors and cruise missiles limits the ability to sustain prolonged operations without significant industrial expansion. According to defence experts, this has renewed interest in developinglower-cost alternatives, including drones, though no immediate solutions have been implemented.
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