The U.S. military is experiencing significant pressure regarding its stockpiles of advanced air-defense interceptors and precision-guided weapons as tensions rise with Iran, according to military and intelligence officials. The rapid expenditure of these munitions has raised concerns about the U.S.'s readiness for potential conflicts in other regions, including the Indo-Pacific. Officials indicated that the current rate of munitions use cannot be sustained, and the defense industrial base is not capable of quickly replenishing the inventory.
U.S. interests in the Gulf states are under threat from Iranian drones and missiles, prompting heavy use of interceptors. A partner country has suggested a pause in fighting due to the intensity of Iranian strikes affecting infrastructure in Kuwait. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that while some munitions may take longer to produce, U.S. stockpiles remain strong.
U.S. forces are increasingly using GPS-guided bombs and precision-glide weapons instead of long-range missiles, which are being utilized more sparingly. The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, noted that scaling up production of high-end systems could take one to two years. The Pentagon has also shifted interceptor inventories from other regions to support operations in the Middle East, which has left some commands with reduced margins. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized the military's capability to execute operations as needed.
In 2022, Elbridge Colby, a former defense official, highlighted the challenges of U.S. munitions being used across different global conflicts, indicating the limitations of missile availability.