U.S. Military Faces Three-Year Timeline to Replenish Missile Defense Stockpiles Amid Iran Conflict
The U.S. military is facing a significant challenge in replenishing its stockpile of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles, which have been heavily utilized in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Since the war began in February, the U.S. has expended a substantial portion of its missile inventory to counter Iranian drone and missile attacks on U.S. bases and allied countries in the Middle East. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the U.S. may have used up to 67% of its Patriot missiles and 48% of its THAAD interceptors. The current stockpile of Patriot missiles has decreased from 2,330 to between 759 and 827, while THAAD missiles have dropped from 452 to between 234 and 278. The replenishment process is expected to take about three years, contingent on congressional approval of the Pentagon's budget and the ability of defense contractors to ramp up production. 
