US officials deny reports of critically low air‑defence munitions

Experts from the Pentagon and several defense‑policy think tanks warned on Tuesday that the United States is facing a critical shortfall in air‑defence interceptors, a vulnerability they attribute to the prolonged “war on Iran” that has strained the nation’s munitions supply chain. According to a classified briefing reviewed by the Department of Defense, the stockpiles of key interceptor systems such as Patriot PAC‑3 missiles, Terminal High‑Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, and the newer Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) components have fallen to levels not seen since the early 2000s. The depletion, officials said, stems from a combination of increased operational tempo in the Middle East, heightened demand for missile‑defence support to regional allies, and production bottlenecks at domestic manufacturers that have been unable to keep pace with the surge in orders.

The experts cautioned that the reduced inventory could compromise the United States’ ability to protect critical assets and forward operating bases against potential ballistic‑missile attacks from Iran or its proxy forces. They urged Congress to approve accelerated funding for interceptor procurement and to streamline acquisition processes to restore the “strategic depth” of the nation’s air‑defence shield. The Department of Defense indicated that it is reviewing inventory management practices and exploring temporary measures, such as reallocating surplus missiles from other theaters, while longer‑term solutions are being evaluated.