US potentially facing 'near-term risk' of running out of key ammunition after Iran war - report

A report highlighted by The Jerusalem Post raises serious concerns about the United States' military readiness following its recent engagement in Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Experts cited by CNN suggest that the significant depletion of key missile stockpiles has created a "near-term risk" for the US, potentially leaving it vulnerable in the face of other global threats.

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The United States military may have created a “near-term risk” of running out of key missiles after depleting a significant amount of ammunition during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, according to a Wednesday CNN News report citing experts and individuals familiar with recent US Defense Department stockpile assessments.

The analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) indicates that replenishing these critical assets could take an extended period of three to five years. The scale of expenditure is substantial, with nearly half of THAAD and Patriot air defense missiles, and significant portions of Precision Strike Missiles, Tomahawk, and other advanced munitions, having been used. This depletion is not merely a logistical challenge; it directly impacts the US's ability to project power and respond to potential conflicts on multiple fronts.

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it may take three to five years to fully replenish the stockpile to pre-war levels, despite the Pentagon's recent signing of a series of contracts to expand missile production.

While Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has publicly denied that the reduction in stockpiles poses a threat, asserting the military has all it needs, the CSIS assessment paints a more cautious picture. The report suggests that while the remaining ammunition might be adequate for continued operations against Iran, it could prove insufficient in a scenario involving a peer competitor like China. This creates a "window of increased vulnerability in the western Pacific," a critical region for US strategic interests.

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Since the war began on February 28, the US has expended at least half of its inventory of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles, almost half of its Patriot air defense missiles, and at least 45% of its stockpile of Precision Strike Missiles, CSIS assessed.

From a US perspective, this situation underscores the immense cost of prolonged military engagements and the complex calculus involved in maintaining global military superiority. The reliance on extensive missile stockpiles, while effective in conflict, necessitates a robust and rapid replenishment strategy. The Jerusalem Post's reporting on this issue brings to light the critical strategic questions facing US defense planners as they navigate a complex geopolitical landscape.

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the depletion of the key ammunition has “created a window of increased vulnerability in the western Pacific.”