U.S. warns allies of missile and interceptor delays of up to five years after Iran war depletes stocks and strains production – Defence Industry Europe

U.S. warns allies of missile and interceptor delays of up to five years after Iran war depletes stocks and strains production  Defence Industry Europe

The Trump administration has warned U.S. allies that deliveries of some previously ordered missile systems and interceptors may be delayed by as much as five years. The Trump administration has warned U.S. allies that deliveries of some previously ordered missile systems and interceptors may be delayed by as much as five years. U.S. forces and selected allies are expected to receive priority as Washington seeks to rebuild depleted inventories. The pressure follows the extensive use of long-range strike missiles and air defense interceptors during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. The weapons involved included PrSM, ATACMS, Tomahawk and JASSM missiles, along with PAC-3 MSE and THAAD interceptors.

U.S. forces are estimated to have used more than half of their Patriot missile stocks, although it is unclear which interceptor variants are included in that figure. They also reportedly expended about one-third of available Tomahawk missiles and slightly less than half of the THAAD interceptor inventory. Those expenditures have reduced U.S. stockpiles and placed additional pressure on Washington’s ability to prepare for a full-scale conflict. The scale of the shortfall also means that replenishing American inventories will compete with deliveries to foreign customers. The U.S. defense industry cannot replace the expended missiles and interceptors within a short period. Lockheed Martin is working to increase annual PAC-3 MSE production from