The heavy use of US munitions during the war with Iran has raised concerns among American military planners about Washington’s ability to deter potential threats from China and Russia, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Citing US officials, the report said the United States had rushed large quantities of weapons to the Middle East during the conflict, putting significant pressure on American weapons stockpiles.
The drawdown has reportedly been particularly severe for PAC-3 Patriot air defence interceptors and ATACMS surface-to-surface missiles, with US inventories in Europe described by officials as “beyond critical”.
Hegseth oversaw weapons transfers
According to the report, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth oversaw the movement of munitions to the Middle East through an “orders book” system operating under longstanding Pentagon procedures.
The weapons transfers were aimed at supporting US military operations during the conflict with Iran, but officials warned that the reduction in available stockpiles could affect the Pentagon’s ability to respond to other potential threats.
The concern is particularly significant in Europe, where reduced stocks of key missile systems could limit US military readiness.
Replenishing weapons stocks could take years
Although direct attacks between the United States and Iran have largely subsided in recent weeks, rebuilding depleted American weapons inventories could take considerable time.
The Wall Street Journal reported that replenishing some stocks through purchases from countries including Japan, South Korea and Germany could take years.
The depletion has raised broader questions about the ability of the United States to maintain sufficient reserves while supporting military operations in multiple regions.
China and Russia remain key concerns
US officials cited in the report said the depletion of munitions could weaken Washington’s ability to deter potential challenges from China and Russia.
The situation highlights the pressure on the US defence industry to produce advanced missiles and air defence interceptors quickly enough to replace weapons used in major conflicts.
