US Missile Stockpiles Nearly Halved in Iran War, Creating ‘Near-Term Risk’

In just seven weeks, US forces used at least 45% of their Precision Strike Missiles, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This photograph taken during sunset on March 6, 2025 shows a Patriot air defence system installed at the military hub for Ukraine at the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in Jasionka, south-east Poland. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The US military burned through a large share of its key missile stockpiles during the war with Iran, raising concerns about readiness for another conflict, according to experts and sources familiar with Pentagon assessments. In just seven weeks, US forces used at least 45% of their Precision Strike Missiles, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ). Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . At least half of THAAD interceptors and nearly 50% of Patriot air defense missiles were also expended, figures that align with classified Pentagon data, sources told CNN . Other advanced munitions were also hit hard: about 30% of Tomahawk cruise missiles, more than 20% of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and roughly 20% of SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors. Experts warn the drawdown creates a “near-term risk” if the US faces another major war soon. Current stockpiles may be enough to continue fighting Iran, but are “no longer sufficient to confront a near-peer adversary, like China,” the CSIS analysis says. “The high munitions expenditures have created a window of increased vulnerability in the western Pacific,” said Mark Cancian, a retired US Marine Corps colonel and one of the report’s authors. “It will take one to four years to replenish these inventories and several years after that to expand them to where they need to be.” Rebuilding the depleted stockpiles is expected to take four to five years, even with increased production. Other Topics of Interest Zelensky Criticizes Planned Moscow Visit Volodymyr Zelensky said it was inappropriate for US foreign envoys to visit Moscow without first coming to Kyiv amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Patriot interceptor missiles are particularly costly and produced in limited numbers. A single interceptor costs more than $3 million. According to The New York Times report, global inventories remain constrained, with only about 620 of the most advanced Patriot interceptors delivered worldwide in 2025 – a record production level. Demand for the system has surged amid escalating conflicts. In the early days of the recent US-Israeli war with Iran, more than 800 Patriot interceptors were reportedly used to counter over 2,000 Iranian drones and more than 500 ballistic missiles, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the military “has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing.” “Since President Trump took office, we have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the US military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,” he told CNN. President Donald Trump has downplayed concerns while seeking more funding for munitions. “We’re asking for a lot of reasons, beyond even what we’re talking about in Iran,” Trump said last month. “Munitions in particular, at the high end we have a lot, but we’re preserving it.” “It’s a small price to pay to make sure that we stay tippy top,” he added. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about resupply. “The Iranians do have the ability to make a lot of Shahed drones, ballistic missiles, medium range, short range and they’ve got a huge stockpile,” said Sen. Mark Kelly. “So at some point … this becomes a math problem and how can we resupply air defense munitions. Where are they going to come from?” Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.