U.S. Weapon Stockpiles Depleted Amid Prolonged Iran Conflict

The United States has exhausted most of its premier long-range offensive and defensive missiles during the six-month war with Iran. The Army’s surface-to-surface munitions—ATACMS and the newer PrSM—have been used “virtually all,” while roughly 80 % of the THAAD missile arsenal and about 50 % of Patriot interceptors have been fired since the conflict began. The depletion limits the Pentagon’s ability to conduct expanded air-strike campaigns and forces a greater reliance on piloted bombing missions.

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Before the war, the Pentagon held about 2,200 Patriot missiles, 450 THAAD missiles and roughly 90 PrSM missiles, according to an April CSIS analysis. ATACMS, launched from HIMARS and M270 systems, were stocked in large numbers but have now been largely expended.

The Hill

• ATACMS & PrSM: “Virtually all” ATACMS used; PrSM count reduced from ~90 to near zero.

The Hill

• THAAD: 80 % of the original inventory expended; remaining stock estimated between 234 and 278 missiles.

The Hill

• Patriot: About 50 % of the original stock used; current interceptor count reported at a low of 1,700.

The Jerusalem Post

• Other munitions: Over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles, more than 1,300 tactical ballistic missiles, and at least 1,500 Patriot interceptors have been launched.

The Hill

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the overall quantity of U.S. munitions. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg issued a memo directing defense leaders to submit accelerated production plans within three weeks, a deadline reported in a Washington Post story about the July 31 meeting at Camp David. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the plan will inform the FY 2028 budget and noted that the FY 2027 budget under congressional consideration could “supercharge” production efforts.

The Hill

Jennifer Kavanagh, senior fellow at Defense Priorities, argued that Iran has long been aware of U.S. stock limitations.

The Hill

Analysts say the depleted stockpiles erode U.S. leverage in negotiations with Iran and embolden other adversaries. Iran’s officials have cited U.S. munitions shortages as a bargaining advantage, while observers in China and Russia view the shortfall as a potential catalyst for more aggressive posturing. The shortage also constrains support to allies; Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said additional Patriot interceptors could have saved lives, and the diversion of missiles from the Indo-Pacific has heightened concerns in South Korea and Japan.

The Jerusalem Post

Sources differ on the exact remaining THAAD inventory, citing a range of 234–278 missiles. Patriot interceptor counts are reported as “low of 1,700” in some accounts, while other reports reference a 50 % depletion without a precise figure. Usage statistics for Tomahawk, tactical ballistic, and Patriot missiles vary between outlets, leaving a precise tally unresolved.

The Hill

The Pentagon has secured framework agreements with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to increase THAAD and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 production, including a nearly $59 billion contract to triple PAC-3 output by 2030. CSIS analyst Tom Karako cautioned that these are “agreements to agree” and will not materialize without congressional appropriations. The three-week deadline set by Deputy Secretary Feinberg remains in force, and the FY 2027 budget under debate could provide the funding needed to accelerate manufacturing and restore pre-war stock levels.

The Hill