The 5 Major Weapons the US Is Reportedly Low On: What Shortages Would Mean
Many of the U.S.'s most in-demand missiles, widely used against Iran, cost several million dollars apiece.
Five major weapons the United States reportedly lacks in significant quantities, according to recent reports, could hinder its ability to confront Russia and China in a potential conflict if the ongoing war with Iran persists. President Donald Trump recently assured that the U.S. arsenal remains fully stocked, despite concerns from officials and analysts about dwindling supplies of key weapons.
The White House has been urging defense companies to increase production of weapons, as the conflict in the Middle East has strained the U.S. military's stockpiles. Among the most affected weapons are air defense missiles, which are crucial for countering ballistic missile threats from adversaries like Iran and China. The U.S. currently possesses a limited number of Patriot air defense systems and THAAD interceptors, both of which have seen a significant depletion of stocks.
These air defense missiles are essential for defending U.S. bases and allies in the region against potential Iranian missile attacks. Additionally, the U.S. has used up a substantial portion of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs), which are ground-launched ballistic missiles designed for precision strikes on distant targets.
The ATACMS has been virtually exhausted, while the PrSM stockpile is also facing a notable reduction. These missiles play a vital role in hitting targets in Iran accurately, thereby keeping U.S. troops safer from the fallout of strikes. In summary, the combination of depleted air defense missile stocks and reduced numbers of ATACMS and PrSM missiles could severely limit the U.S.'s offensive capabilities in a future conflict with Iran or China.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
