[REVISION HISTORY]

US missile shortages and strategic shifts amid Iran conflict

Updated 88 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-22 06:07 UTC → 2026-09-29 07:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Iran–Israel war that began in February 2026 has rapidly drained U.S. air-defense and long-range missile stocks. By late August, reports indicated the U.S. had exhausted nearly all ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), while consuming approximately 65% of its Patriot stockpile. Data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates that global Patriot missile stocks have dropped from an estimated 2,200 to below 827, while THAAD missile stocks have decreased from approximately 452 to fewer than 278. CSIS analysis further suggests the U.S. has utilized roughly one-third of its Tomahawk and JASSM long-range missile arsenals. A mid-September Pentagon inspector general report regarding “Operation Epic Fury” confirmed “strategic inventory shortfalls” and “industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply,” noting it could take up to three years to replenish advanced stocks. While President Donald Trump has claimed the U.S. possesses “virtually unlimited” ammunition, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that combat operations against Iran cost the Department of Defense roughly $38 billion through August 1, with weapon replacement costs estimated at $21.7 billion. By late September, the U.S. warned allies that deliveries of critical ~~weaponry, including Patriot missiles,~~ weaponry could be delayed by up to five years. ~~These delays are expected to impact partners such as Germany, Ukraine, Japan, and Taiwan.~~ To mitigate these shortages, Defense Subsecretary Steve Feinberg issued a memorandum requesting defense companies propose accelerated production schedules for 16 critical programs. ~~Additionally, Washington entered a $3 billion agreement~~ In response, the defense industry has begun ramping up capacity. RTX is reportedly operating 24/7 in ~~August intended~~ Arizona to increase Tomahawk production, while Lockheed Martin is hiring hundreds of workers in Arkansas to triple Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor ~~production and quadruple THAAD~~ production. However, former NATO Military Committee Chairman Rob Bauer noted a disconnect between budgets and availability, stating, “Defense ministers have deep pockets — they go to the store, but they find empty shelves.”

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