Fewer Than 1,700 Patriot Missiles Remain
Pentagon orders urgent production acceleration, giving defense companies 21 days to submit plans. Meanwhile, forces are being shifted from Asia and Europe to the Middle East.
Pentagon orders urgent production acceleration, giving defense companies 21 days to submit plans. Meanwhile, forces are being shifted from Asia and Europe to the Middle East.
The U.S. military operation against Iran has severely depleted key American weapons stockpiles, leaving the Pentagon with fewer than 1,700 Patriot interceptor missiles, The New York Times reported, citing informed sources. According to the same report, more than 1,500 of these anti-aircraft interceptors have been expended in the conflict with Iran.
The newspaper notes that the Trump administration has been "working with military contractors to try to accelerate and expand production, but even with those efforts, it could take more than two years for the U.S. to replenish the more than 1,500 Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles used in the war with Iran."
Responding to dwindling stockpiles, the Pentagon has ordered American defense companies to speed up weapons production and deliveries, the Washington Post reports. The directive covers interceptors for both Patriot and THAAD systems, and companies have been given 21 days to submit plans for faster production and shorter delivery timelines.
Mexico's Reforma newspaper also reports that the Pentagon is pressuring the defense industry to accelerate the manufacturing and delivery of weaponry, including ammunition facing extreme shortages due to the war with Iran.
The depletion of stockpiles is forcing the Pentagon to reposition ships, aircraft, and air defense units from Asia and Europe to the Middle East. The New York Times warns that this move has "cascading consequences" for equipment maintenance and troop morale.
The diversion of military resources from two key geostrategic regions could have long-term effects on the security balance beyond the immediate conflict zone, suggest analyses cited by the U.S. newspaper.