US Army depleted much of its long-range missile stockpile during Iran war, Reuters says
An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), one of the long-range missiles highlighted in the Reuters report. Image: Wikimedia
New Delhi: The US Army has used most of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during its five-month war with Iran, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with internal military data. The reported depletion has triggered concerns over the military’s readiness for future conflicts.
Two people familiar with the data told Reuters that the Army had used “virtually all” of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) during the war. A third source said US Central Command (Centcom) had replenished its forces by drawing on stockpiles held elsewhere in the world. While the military retained the ability to resupply, the sources did not disclose how many missiles remain.
Two long-range precision missiles at the centre of the report
The Reuters report focuses on two of the US Army’s principal long-range strike weapons, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).
ATACMS is a surface-to-surface missile designed for precision strikes at long range. It has also been supplied to Ukraine, where it has been used against targets inside Russia. The US Army is gradually replacing it with the newer PrSM, which offers a longer range and improved capabilities.
Both missiles allow the military to strike targets from a safe distance, reducing the need to send piloted aircraft into heavily defended areas. Reuters reported that the heavy use of these weapons during the Iran war reflected a decision to avoid riskier manned bombing missions. It added that if the conflict continues and missile stocks fall further, the US could become more reliant on aircraft for future strikes.
The sources cited by Reuters also warned that reduced stockpiles could affect the US military’s ability to deter adversaries such as Russia and China.
Reuters noted that Lockheed Martin manufactures both the ATACMS and PrSM, as well as the THAAD missile defence system. Raytheon produces the Tomahawk cruise missile and Patriot interceptor system, two other key weapons discussed in the report. Both companies did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on stockpile levels or production.
Other missile stockpiles also under pressure
The concerns are not limited to ATACMS and PrSM. Reuters, citing an assessment by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reported that about 65% of the US stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles and at least 38% of THAAD interceptor missiles had been used between February and July. Two of Reuters’ sources said those estimates matched internal US data.
Reuters also reported that the US had used a little less than half of its global stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles since the start of the Iran war, citing one source familiar with the matter. However, the news agency said it could not independently verify that figure.
White House rejects concerns
The White House and the Pentagon dismissed suggestions that the reported drawdown had weakened the US military’s ability to respond to future conflicts.
The US president, Donald Trump, said the US had “far more munitions than anyone in the world” and more than it needed. He added that American defence companies were producing weapons at record levels while expanding their manufacturing capacity.
The Pentagon spokesman, Sean Parnell, also rejected concerns over the stockpiles, saying the US military remained the world’s most powerful force and had everything it needed to carry out operations whenever directed by the president.
