JAKARTA \u2014 The US-Iran conflict has entered its third month. Despite a\nceasefire between the two nations, the conflict has already depleted a\nsignificant portion of Washington\u2019s key weapons stockpiles.<\/p>\n
Over the three months of fighting, the US has deployed its major\nweapons systems to attack Iran and repel counterattacks, including\nTomahawk cruise missiles, JASSM air-to-surface missiles, PrSM tactical\nmissiles, and defence systems such as Patriot, THAAD, SM-3, and\nSM-6.<\/p>\n
The usage of these weapons has been substantial, with some estimated\nto have consumed a large portion of the US\u2019s pre-war stockpiles. For\ncertain ammunition types, the quantity used has reached hundreds to over\na thousand units.<\/p>\n
Citing a report from the Center for Strategic and International\nStudies (CSIS), the use of key US weapons in the Iran conflict has been\nextensive. During the 39 days of air and missile strikes before the\nceasefire, the US deployed numerous long-range missiles and expensive\nair defence systems.<\/p>\n
Thousands of Missiles Fired<\/p>\n
Among the most heavily used US weapons in the conflict are Tomahawk\nand JASSM. Tomahawk is a cruise missile launched from warships or\nsubmarines to strike land targets. It is a key weapon for the US due to\nits ability to engage targets from a distance without deploying troops\nnear enemy territory. In the Iran conflict, Tomahawk usage has been\nextensive. CSIS, citing The Wall Street Journal, reported that the US\nfired over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles. This is significant given that the\nUS\u2019s pre-war stockpile was estimated at around 3,100 units \u2014 meaning\nmore than a third of the initial stock has already been used.<\/p>\n
Another widely used weapon is the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff\nMissile (JASSM), which is launched from aircraft to strike distant\ntargets. CSIS estimates JASSM usage in the Iran conflict has exceeded\n1,100 units, compared to a pre-war stockpile of approximately 4,400.<\/p>\n
According to CSIS data, seven key US ammunition types are of\nparticular concern. These weapons are crucial for striking strategic\ntargets and intercepting Iranian missile attacks. The most significant\nstrain on stockpiles is seen in air defence and anti-missile systems,\nparticularly Patriot and THAAD.<\/p>\n
Patriot systems intercept aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise\nmissiles. In the Iran conflict, CSIS estimates the US has used between\n1,060 and 1,430 Patriot missiles. With a pre-war stockpile of\napproximately 2,330 units, this means up to half of the Patriot stock\ncould be depleted.<\/p>\n
THAAD is equally critical. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense\nsystem intercepts ballistic missiles at higher altitudes. CSIS estimates\nthe US has used 190 to 290 THAAD interceptors from an initial stock of\naround 360 units. At the higher estimate, over 80% of pre-war THAAD\nstock could already be exhausted.<\/p>\n
Missiles Fired in an Instant, Replacements Take Years<\/p>\n
The biggest issue isn\u2019t just how many missiles have been fired, but\nhow long it takes to replace them. CSIS data shows new deliveries for\nseven key US ammunition types could take 42 to 64 months \u2014 meaning 3.5\nto over five years to replenish depleted stocks. For example, Patriot\nreplacements take around 42 months, Tomahawk 47 months, JASSM 48 months,\nwhile SM-3 could take up to 64 months. This highlights that modern\nwarfare isn\u2019t just about having the most advanced weapons; countries\nmust also produce them in large quantities quickly. For the US, this is\na significant challenge, as demand isn\u2019t limited to the Iran conflict.\nUkraine requires Patriots to counter Russia, Japan needs Tomahawks to\nbolster Pacific defence, and other allies are also in line to purchase\nUS weapons.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-months-into-iran-conflict-how-many-us-weapons-have-been-depleted-1780025576", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }