US and Israel deploy 3,000 rounds in first 36 hours of attack on Iran
Istanbul – More than 3,000 rounds of ammunition and precision-guided interceptors were used in the first 36 hours of the US-Israel strike on Iran, signalling a major strain in the arms supply chain. A Payne Institute for Public Policy estimate, as reported by Anadolu on Friday, indicates Iran launched more than 1,000 weapons across the region, including around 380 ballistic missiles, 700 Shahed drones, and 50 air-defence missiles.
The attack triggered a massive interception effort by the United States, Israel, and Gulf states targeted by Iran’s retaliation.
In the opening phase of the operation, US forces used a range of offensive weapons, including 210 precision-guided JDAM bombs, 120 Tomahawk missiles, 120 low-cost drones, and 90 AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles aimed at Iranian radar systems.
Israeli forces also carried out extensive strikes using around 280 SPICE-guided bombs, 140 smart-bomb devices, 70 Rampage supersonic missiles, and 50 Delilah cruise missiles.
Defence systems were used heavily to intercept Iran’s attack. The United States fired around 180 SM-2/SM-3/SM-6 surface-to-air missiles, followed by 90 Patriot PAC-2/PAC-3 missiles and 40 THAAD interceptors. Meanwhile, Israel deployed 70 Tamir interceptors from the Iron Dome, 40 Arrow missiles, and 35 David’s Sling interceptors.
Regional US partners also participated in the air-defence efforts. The Gulf states were estimated to launch around 250 Patriot PAC-3 intercept missiles and 30 THAAD missiles.
The intense exchange of missiles and drones highlights broader strategic challenges, according to media reports.
Although the air defences largely succeeded in intercepting the incoming attacks, the cost and volume of munitions used placed heavy pressure on Western arms supply chains.
Replenishing these munitions is not only a financial challenge but also a supply-chain issue related to critical minerals, including cobalt, tungsten, and rare earth elements essential for navigation systems, electronics, and rocket motors. Much of these materials come from restricted suppliers, with China dominating some key mineral markets. This raises concerns that prolonged conflict could jeopardise Western defence manufacturing capacity.
Source: Anadolu