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U.S. military depletes THAAD interceptors during Israel-Iran conflict

The U.S. fired over 150 THAAD interceptors supporting Israel, raising concerns about ongoing military readiness.

July 25, 2025 at 09:01 PM

150 THAAD Ballistic Missile Interceptors Fired By U.S. During Iran's Barrages On Israel: Report

The U.S. utilized a staggering number of missile interceptors while supporting Israel against Iran.

U.S. military expends significant missile stockpile during Israel-Iran conflict

During a recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. Army reportedly fired over 150 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors. This amount accounts for roughly 25% of all THAAD interceptors ordered by the U.S. military to date, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal. The U.S. Navy also launched around 80 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptors during the conflict, raising concerns about their effectiveness. The Pentagon is now grappling with potential shortages as these high-demand systems were used at a rapid pace, with ongoing discussions about replenishing stockpiles.

Key Takeaways

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Pentagon fired over 150 THAAD interceptors in support of Israel.

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This number accounts for about 25% of total U.S. THAAD inventory.

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The U.S. Navy launched around 80 SM-3 interceptors during the conflict.

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Concerns have arisen about the effectiveness of the SM-3 system.

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Pentagon faces challenges in replenishing interceptor stocks.

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U.S. defense capabilities may be strained amid rising global conflicts.

"Operating alongside Israeli systems, THAAD operators burned through munitions at a furious clip."

This highlights the intensity of missile usage during the conflict.

"The demand for THAAD was so staggering that at one point the Pentagon considered a plan to divert interceptors purchased by Saudi Arabia."

This shows the urgency and pressure the U.S. faced in meeting defense needs during the crisis.

"Concerns about the SM-3s did not destroy as many targets as expected, according to defense officials."

This raises significant questions about the system's effectiveness in real combat scenarios.

"The Pentagon's Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal indicates it could take years to replace the used THAAD interceptors."

This underscores issues related to military readiness and funding for replenishment.

This unprecedented use of THAAD and SM-3 interceptors highlights significant issues within U.S. military resources and procurement. As global tensions rise, particularly with China and regional conflicts in the Middle East, the sustainability of U.S. munition stocks is under scrutiny. The U.S. military's recent experiences illustrate not only the critical role these systems play in defense but also the urgent need for an improved rearming capability on naval vessels. The Pentagon's struggle to restock and maintain a robust inventory could have far-reaching implications for U.S. defense posture.

Highlights

Military readiness is at stake with dwindling missile stocks.
THAAD expenditure in conflict reveals unsustainable patterns.
Rapid usage of interceptors poses questions for U.S. defenses.
Increased demand for munitions underscores a worrisome trend.

Potential risks in U.S. missile supply and defense capability

With significant expenditures on THAAD and SM-3 systems, questions arise regarding the sustainability of U.S. military stockpiles. The rapid usage during the Israel-Iran conflict highlights vulnerabilities that could negatively affect defense capabilities in future global conflicts.

The future of U.S. missile defense readiness is now in question.

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missile defense THAAD Iran Israel U.S. military military defense international relations

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