Report: US Army Depletes 80% of THAAD Missiles and Half of Patriot Missiles

A US report reveals that the US Army has depleted 80% of its THAAD interceptor missiles and about half of its Patriot interceptor missiles since the start of the war with Iran, amid warnings of a critical decline in ammunition stockpiles, and Gulf concerns about the impact on their ability to counter a potential Iranian response.

A report cited by CNN, based on two informed sources, states that the US military has depleted nearly 80% of its interceptor missiles in the THAAD system and about half of its Patriot interceptor missiles since the beginning of the war. This comes amid warnings from senior US military leaders that the Pentagon's ammunition stockpile is "dangerously low." The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that the US had about 2,200 Patriot missiles and 452 THAAD missiles before the start of the war with Iran. America's Gulf allies have raised concerns about the impact of the shortage of air defense systems on their ability to repel any potential Iranian response if President Trump decides to escalate the war. The stockpile issue was raised again before Trump's decision last weekend to cancel new strikes on Iran, marking at least the second time in recent weeks that his advisors have expressed concerns about dwindling ammunition. Trump had planned massive strikes but backed down after talks with Middle East allies on Saturday, who expressed fear of an Iranian response targeting their energy infrastructure. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, raised the stockpile issue during a White House meeting late last month. Experts question the US ability to conduct prolonged strikes against Iran, and the shortage affects its ability to fight a future war with China, Russia, or North Korea.