American defense contractors estimate that it will take over three years to replace the primary munitions used by the U.S. military during its bombing campaign against Iran, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). This report highlights concerns that the depletion of munitions could affect future military engagements, particularly in the Western Pacific region.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth indicated that the timeline for refilling U.S. stockpiles could vary based on the weapon system, stating it could take 'months and years.' The Pentagon is working to enhance the defense industrial base's capacity to produce munitions beyond pre-war levels, which is reflected in the proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget.
The military utilized over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles during the Iran conflict, exceeding the production request of 785 missiles. Current production capacity stands at approximately 600 Tomahawk missiles per year, with a goal of reaching 1,000 annually by late 2030 or early 2031. The average procurement over the last ten fiscal years has been 86 Tomahawk missiles annually.
Additionally, the military used between 1,060 and 1,430 Patriot missiles during the war, with a fiscal year 2026 request for 3,203 missiles, significantly higher than the 172 delivered in FY2026. The replenishment of Patriot stockpiles is expected to take until mid-2029.
In January, the Pentagon announced a partnership with Lockheed Martin to increase the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors from 96 to 400 annually, with full replacement anticipated by the end of 2029.
While Hegseth acknowledged the need to increase production capacity, he contested claims regarding depleted stockpiles, asserting that the U.S. has sufficient munitions to meet operational needs. He emphasized that the department is working to enhance its procurement processes to address any shortfalls, particularly in light of the military's shifting focus from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific region, where concerns about China's military modernization are growing.