Iran war depletes US missile stocks, raises concerns over readiness for China

The US Army has exhausted most of its stockpile of long-range precision missiles, raising doubts about the country's readiness for conflicts with nations like China, according to a Reuters report. The primary weapons in question are the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the newer Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), both designed for precise long-distance strikes.

Sources indicate that the military has "virtually used up" its stock of these missiles, although the exact remaining amounts were not disclosed. US Central Command had nearly depleted its land-based missile stock when the war began but has replenished supplies by drawing from global military stocks. The depletion has become more concerning as the conflict with Iran has extended beyond initial expectations, prompting debates on how long the US can sustain operations without compromising its arsenal.

The issue of missile and defensive weapon stocks has raised concerns among US officials, with some warning of a potential decline in stocks of systems like Patriot interceptors. The US has also utilized nearly half of its Tomahawk cruise-missile stockpile during the war, though this figure could not be independently verified. Despite efforts by the US defense industry to boost production, analysts suggest that even increased output may not be sufficient to rapidly replenish stocks during a prolonged, high-intensity conflict.