The US is rapidly expending interceptor missiles to protect Israel, and stockpiles may be critically limited.
A potential large-scale conflict between the US and Israel with Iran could impact the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine. As reported by Comments.ua, the Financial Times cited Western officials and military analysts as the source. PromPolitInform reports.
According to them, limited stockpiles of critical interceptor missiles are already forcing Washington to consider the risks. During last year’s 12-day war, when Iran fired hundreds of missiles at Israel, the US and Israel expended ammunition at an unprecedented rate. Now the Pentagon is assessing whether further massive attacks by Tehran will deplete these reserves.
The stockpiles of missiles for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are of particular concern. According to sources, the US used up to 150 of these interceptors to cover Israel last year, while fewer than 650 missiles have been ordered since the system entered service around 2010.
Experts warn that in the event of several large-scale Iranian strikes, the annual stockpile of individual munitions could be exhausted in a matter of days. Although the likelihood of a complete depletion of the arsenal is considered low, the US is already discussing the need to conserve resources for other potential scenarios – particularly in a confrontation with Russia or China.
Against this backdrop, the issue of “smart use” of missiles is becoming crucial. The US military is already moving toward cheaper drone interceptors in order to preserve expensive systems for more serious threats.
However, analysts acknowledge that any escalation in the Middle East could directly impact Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
