Shrinking Patriot, THAAD inventories could force riskier defense
Recent fighting with Iran consumed more of the U.S. military’s already diminished stockpiles of advanced missile interceptors, potentially putting American troops at greater risk if hostilities resume, according to a new analysis.
The report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, warns that depleted inventories of Patriot and THAAD interceptors may force the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies to accept more risk to conserve air defense assets, it said.
The analysis said American forces may launch fewer missiles against incoming Iranian drones and missiles, raising the chance one gets through.