According to the Financial Times, the conflict in the Middle East has sharply depleted US stocks of some advanced missiles and air defense systems.

The newspaper reported that the war has drained high-end American munitions produced by RTX and Lockheed Martin. In comments to the publication, CSIS Missile Defense Project director Tom Karako said the pace at which missiles are being used for both offensive strikes and defensive missions was alarming. He noted that these weapons are critical for the United States if it wants to deter future conflicts and what he described as adventurism in the Pacific region.

Earlier, The Economist reported that the ammunition spent by the US during its operation against Iran, codenamed Epic Rage, would take years to replace. At the same time, the White House still does not have a Congress-approved budget for that replenishment, while shrinking stockpiles are weakening the readiness of the American military for possible new confrontations.

The report also said US forces used more than 5,000 munitions of various types in the first four days of the operation alone. Over 16 days, that total rose to 11,000.