- The United States has significantly depleted its critical weapons stockpiles due to its ongoing conflict with Iran, which commenced on 28 February.
- The Pentagon has expended over 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles and more than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles, alongside approximately 1,100 stealth cruise missiles originally earmarked for a potential conflict with China.
- Internal estimates indicate that around 1,100 JASSM-ER missiles have been utilised, leaving only 1,500 in inventory, with experts cautioning that replenishing these supplies could take years.
- The conflict has incurred an estimated cost of between $25 billion and $35 billion for the United States, with the Pentagon currently awaiting congressional approval for additional funding to procure new munitions.
- This depletion has impacted US military readiness, affecting defensive capabilities on Nato’s eastern flank and operations in the Pacific, including the redeployment of Patriot missiles from South Korea, though a White House spokesperson has disputed the claims.
IN FULL
