United States: The United States exhausted roughly a quarter of its elite THAAD interceptor supply during the 12-day clash between Israel and Iran in June, according to insiders familiar with the mission. The intensity and pace of the defense operation left the American missile shield noticeably depleted, triggering serious alarm across Washington’s security circles.
To deflect Iran’s heavy wave of ballistic missile fire, US forces launched over 100 THAAD interceptors — possibly close to 150 — during the conflict. Two of the military’s seven total THAAD systems were dispatched to Israel for the war. These launchers, designed for high-altitude defense, became the backbone of the US contribution in repelling Tehran’s barrage.
But firing so many interceptors in such a short timeframe revealed a glaring vulnerability. The US not only drew down a rare and costly missile resource, but did so during a time of waning public support for funding Israel’s defense.
Ex-Pentagon officials and missile defense experts told CNN that this rapid consumption has left the US’ global readiness exposed. The sluggish pace of THAAD production has only worsened the concern. In 2023, the military received just 11 new units; for 2024, the estimate is only slightly higher — 12, according to CNN.
Pressed for answers, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson doubled down on the military’s strength. “We’re the most capable force on the planet. Just look at Operation Midnight Hammer and what it did to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” he said confidently.
Yet some intelligence assessments challenge that narrative. Early reports suggested the US strike only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months. The CIA, however, later claimed the damage was far deeper.
While the Pentagon refused to reveal the current number of THAADs in stock, citing operational security, it maintained that the military “remains fully prepared” to face any threat.
Interceptor Use Called “Major Concern”
Despite deploying hundreds of interceptors to shield Israel, Iranian missiles still managed to break through. Dozens hit their targets.
THAAD — short for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense — is a powerful, mobile missile-killing system capable of striking enemy projectiles in or beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. Each unit is run by 95 troops and includes six launchers with 48 interceptors. Each interceptor, built by Lockheed Martin, carries a price tag of about $12.7 million, according to the 2025 defense budget.
The Pentagon aims to obtain 37 more THAAD interceptors in 2026, funded in part by President Donald Trump’s latest “big, beautiful bill.” That same budget allots $1.3 billion to shore up the defense supply chain and another $2.5 billion for boosting missile and munitions output.
Still, experts argue that current efforts fall short of what’s needed.
“The level of commitment during the war was high. But this isn’t a sustainable pace,” said one missile expert tracking US defense expenditures. “We can’t keep using THAAD interceptors like this — it’s a finite asset,” as reported by CNN.
A retired senior Army official said the Department of Defense is now trying to build up “wartime stockage levels” of key munitions, something that should have happened years ago.
Even before the June conflict, several ex-defense officials had warned about shrinking inventories of high-end interceptors — a vital part of America’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
“I was shocked at how low readiness levels really were,” said one former official. “We’re burning through stockpiles faster than we can refill them.”
Another added, “This isn’t just a Trump administration problem. It was a concern under Biden too.”
Mara Karlin, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense under Biden, put it plainly: “Missile defense is crucial everywhere. And right now, we just don’t have enough systems, interceptors, or production — or the people to make them.”
Global THAAD Presence Stretched Thin
Lockheed Martin reports that nine THAAD batteries are currently active worldwide. The US owns seven, with an eighth expected by 2025. As of 2019, five were based in Texas, one in Guam, and one in South Korea. By last year, two had been sent to the Middle East to back Israel. The UAE also operates two systems and has used them to counter Houthi missile threats.
Damage in Israel and Depletion Signs
Although US and Israeli forces knocked down a majority of Iran’s incoming missiles, dozens still landed. Major cities like Tel Aviv suffered heavy damage. Power infrastructure was struck, and nearly 30 civilians lost their lives. Israel’s Tax Authority estimated the total damage at $1.8 billion, with claims still being filed, according to reports by CNN.
Analysis from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) revealed that THAAD and Israel’s Arrow interceptors downed 201 of Iran’s 574 missiles. Of those that hit, 57 struck populated zones. The data suggests that US THAADs accounted for nearly half the total kills — a sign that Israel’s stockpiles of its own systems may be inadequate. The Iron Dome, which is optimized for shorter-range attacks, wasn’t built for the type of long-range missiles Iran fired.
Ari Cicurel, the report’s author, stressed urgency: “Both nations urgently need to replenish interceptors and massively ramp up production. At today’s pace, it could take up to eight years to rebuild what was lost.”
JINSA noted that interception rates dropped as the war dragged on — from 92% in the early days to 75% by the end. Analysts said Iran may have shifted tactics, focusing on urban targets and using more advanced, multi-warhead missiles to overload defenses.
Israel may have also changed strategy, deliberately easing interception efforts to manage longer engagement periods.
Still, the depletion was real. “Just the fact that THAAD was there shows Israel doesn’t have deep reserves,” said Sam Lair of the James Martin Center. His analysis of public footage found 39 THAAD launches among 82 interceptor events — a low estimate that still points to significant usage.
Timur Kadyshev, a senior researcher in Germany, said the June war marked the first large-scale real-world use of THAAD — and that the price was steep. “It worked. But now the bins are nearly empty,” as per CNN.
Ripple Effects Felt in the Pacific
Experts believe the drain on US missile supplies is good news for rivals like China. “From a cold, military standpoint, China benefits from this,” said Sidharth Kaushal from the Royal United Services Institute. “The US just spent a lot of firepower in the Middle East that will be hard to restock.”
A former Biden official echoed the fear: “If war breaks out in the Pacific, our ability to keep up will be severely strained.”
Jennifer Kavanagh of Defense Priorities summed up the dilemma: “You have to make choices. Biden ignored the trade-offs early on because there was still depth. But now, Trump’s team is running out of runway.”
