A new U.S. Army report reveals that during last month’s 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, the United States launched over 150 anti-ballistic missile interceptors from Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries positioned across the Middle East—roughly a decade’s worth of interceptors, representing around 25% of the Army’s total THAAD inventory.

In addition, the U.S. Navy fired approximately 80 RIM-161 Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptors throughout the conflict. With the Navy’s limited stockpile of SM-3 Block IA, IB, and IIA missiles, and current production by Raytheon capped at about 55 IBs and only 12 IIAs annually until 2030, concerns are mounting.

The combination of slow missile production by both Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, along with recent high-use engagements in the Middle East—against both Iran and the Houthis—has left U.S. interceptor stockpiles critically depleted. This raises serious concerns about readiness in the event of a future large-scale conflict, particularly with China, which U.S. defense planners have identified as a potential flashpoint by 2027.