US missile stockpiles drop as Middle East, Europe conflicts escalate: Report

The U.S. military faces a shortage of key air defense missiles as escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Europe strain existing stockpiles. Standard Missiles, commonly launched from ships, are critical interceptors that have become central in countering missile and drone threats against U.S. allies, particularly in defending Israeli territory from Iranian attacks and preventing Houthi strikes on Western vessels in the Red Sea.

The Pentagon has deployed over 100 of these interceptors in the region since Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, according to U.S. officials.

“U.S. is running low on some types of air-defense missiles, raising questions on DOD’s readiness to respond to the continuing wars in the M.E. & Europe + a potential Pacific conflict.”

Deficiencies in our defense industrial base are a national emergency.https://t.co/hMm9iMgV9s

— Jerry Dunleavy IV 🇺🇸 (@JerryDunleavy) October 29, 2024

Concerns are growing about the Pentagon’s readiness to handle sustained or future conflicts. That includes potential tensions in the Pacific.

The heavy use of missile interceptors risks depleting the stockpile faster than replacement rates, defense analysts warn. With demand high, Pentagon officials worry that the U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) will struggle to meet the pace needed.

Officials warn the DIB isn’t structured for simultaneous, extended conflicts across multiple theaters.

The Pentagon refrained from disclosing the exact number of air-defense missiles in its inventory. Officials said doing so could risk adversaries leveraging this information against the country. While the classification protects sensitive details, limitations on transparency raise questions about the U.S. military’s readiness for sustained conflicts.

In response to the increased demand, the Pentagon has reallocated resources. Officials have deployed additional systems like the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot missile batteries to Israel and other key areas in the region. However, defense analysts warn that this reallocation could reduce resources available for operations in the Pacific, a region where tensions with China persist.

Efforts to increase the production of these interceptors are ongoing, but increasing manufacturing capacity is a lengthy process. Increasing output requires additional facilities, staff and sustained funding, a commitment not guaranteed without long-term Pentagon contracts.

Defense officials are exploring new technologies and partnerships to bolster production. However, the U.S. military’s readiness remains stretched amid simultaneous demands.