US at risk of running out of missiles if another war breaks out after depleting stockpile in Iran operations

Key Points:

• The US military has depleted significant portions of its missile stockpiles during the war with Iran, using at least 45% of Precision Strike Missiles, half of THAAD missiles, and nearly 50% of Patriot interceptor missiles in just seven weeks, creating a "near-term risk" of ammunition shortages in future conflicts.
• Despite recent Pentagon contracts to increase missile production, replenishing these stockpiles will take three to five years, leaving the US vulnerable to near-peer adversaries like China in the short term.
• The military still has enough munitions to continue operations against Iran if the ceasefire fails, but the reduced inventory limits its ability to confront larger threats, with some missile types like Tomahawks and long-range standoff missiles also significantly depleted.
• Pentagon officials maintain confidence in current capabilities, but experts warn the high expenditure has created a temporary vulnerability, especially in the western Pacific, requiring years to restore and expand missile inventories.
• Congressional Democrats and military leaders have expressed concern over the rapid depletion of munitions and the challenges of resupplying air defense systems amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and Ukraine.