US long-range missile stockpile drops to critical levels

It has been reported that the United States' stockpile of precision long-range missiles has significantly decreased following five months of ongoing war with Iran. Private sources point out that the military has nearly exhausted its high-precision Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) intended for ground targets. The rapid consumption of these missiles brings with it concerns that the US's deterrent power could weaken in the event of another potential global crisis, particularly against Russia and China.

It was stated that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has used nearly all of the land-launched missile stockpiles that were in the region before the war began. Officials indicated that they are attempting to compensate for this deficit with reinforcements from military depots in other countries.

THE DEPLETION OF CUMULATIVE MISSILE STOCKPILES SPARKS DEBATE

According to sources, during the attacks on Iran under former President Donald Trump, priority was given to long-range missiles such as ATACMS and PrSM to avoid riskier air operations. Military experts emphasize that this ammunition could be indispensable against countries with strong air defenses, such as China.

A report published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) stated that these missiles were used specifically to strike targets within Iranian borders.

According to experts, another critical issue is the erosion of stockpiles in defense systems. It was stated that the US military's systems effective against ballistic missiles, such as Patriot and THAAD, have been largely consumed. The report prepared by CSIS reveals that approximately 65 percent of Patriot missile defense systems were used between February and July, and that THAAD systems have decreased by at least 38 percent. Furthermore, it was stated that nearly half of the stockpile of Tomahawk cruise missiles, which are mostly launched from the sea, has been expended.

ATTACK POLICY AND WARNINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Allegedly, senior military officials have long warned President Donald Trump that defense weapon stockpiles were running low. In some reports that surfaced in the public domain last week, it was suggested that the warning from his military advisors regarding stockpiles was behind Trump's decision not to launch a large-scale attack on Iran.

However, a US official argued that these claims do not reflect the truth, stating that pressure from Gulf countries was more influential in Trump's decision to abandon the attack.

A MESSAGE OF SHOW OF FORCE FROM THE PENTAGON

US Department of Defense Spokesperson Sean Parnell, in a statement regarding the matter, said, "The US military is the most powerful military in the world and has everything it needs to conduct operations at the time and place determined by the President. We have conducted many successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring that the US military has a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests."

Experts and military circles, however, warn that the US's missile stockpiles could create a vulnerability in a potential future crisis in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also stated that while the Pentagon is trying to keep its current stockpiles in reserve, especially for potential scenarios against China, the risks taken in the recent war have created serious logistical and strategic problems.

Defense experts state that the US needs to accelerate new production and procurement processes and that the impact of the current stockpile depletion on alliance policies and global strategic positions will continue to be closely monitored.

News Source: 12punto