US Facing Short Supplies of Interceptor Missiles
In the wake of the extended conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, U.S. air-defense interceptor missiles are reportedly in short supply.
U.S. air-defense interceptor missiles are reportedly in short supply in the wake of the extended conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, leaving questions about the Pentagon's ability to respond to worsening situations in the Middle East and Europe, let alone the potential of conflict in the Pacific.
The U.S. has not developed a defense industrial base intended for a large-scale war of attrition in both Europe and the Middle East while meeting its own readiness standards," according to Elias Yousif, a fellow and deputy director of the Conventional Defense Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
"Both of those wars are extended conflicts, which was not part of the U.S. defense planning," Yousif said.
Interceptor missiles are in high demand as Israel and U.S. allies are facing a growing threat from Iran, and the shortfall may become even more critical after Israel's weekend retaliatory strikes on Iran if Tehran responds with more attacks.
The most common interceptors are the Standard Missiles being used to defend Israel from Iran and to stop Houthi rebels' attacks in the Red Sea. U.S. officials say more than 100 Standards have been launched since last year's Hamas attack on Israel.