CNN: U.S. has spent nearly 50% of its Patriot missile stockpile in war with Iran

The U.S. military has used a large share of its missile stockpiles during the war with Iran, including missiles used by Patriot air defense systems.

CNN reports this, citing experts and three unnamed sources familiar with Pentagon assessments of ammunition levels.

A new analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says that in the past seven weeks of fighting, the U.S. has used at least 45% of its stockpile of precision-guided missiles.

In particular, they have used at least half of their stockpile of THAAD missile defense interceptors, designed to intercept ballistic missiles, and nearly 50% of their Patriot air defense interceptor missiles.

These figures align with classified data on the Defense Department’s stockpiles, according to sources familiar with the assessment.

In addition, it is reported that about 30% of the stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles has been used, more than 20% of long-range air-to-surface missiles, and roughly 20% of SM-3 and SM-6 interceptor missiles.

The publication claims that it will take the United States 4–5 years to replenish these stockpiles.

Meanwhile, in an official statement to CNN, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that the United States has everything it needs “to carry out directives at the time and place chosen by the president.”

According to experts and people familiar with internal Defense Department assessments, this situation has created a “short-term risk” of ammunition shortages in the event of a future conflict, if one arises within the next few years.

Last week, it was reported that the United States had informed its European allies about delays in fulfilling previously signed arms supply contracts.

According to Reuters, the reason is the depletion of U.S. stockpiles amid the war against Iran.

It was also reported that delivery delays would affect several countries in the Baltic and Scandinavian regions, some of which share borders with Russia.