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US used over 300 THAAD and Standard Missile interceptors defending Israel, possibly depleting nearly half its stock, raising readiness concerns for allies in Asia.
US’s THAAD air defence system. (Image: AFP)
The United States has reportedly used a significant share of its advanced missile defence interceptors during the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel, raising concerns among officials and analysts about America’s readiness to respond to future security threats elsewhere in the world.
According to a report by The Washington Post, US forces launched more than 200 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors to help defend Israel, alongside over 100 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) interceptors fired from naval vessels deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.
Officials cited in the report said the operations may have consumed nearly half of the Pentagon’s interceptor inventory, highlighting the scale of US involvement in supporting Israeli air defence during the conflict.
By comparison, Israel reportedly used fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors, with some deployed against projectiles launched by Iran-backed groups in Yemen and Lebanon.
Military analysts said the figures offer an unusual glimpse into the depth of the US-Israel defence partnership, while also exposing pressure on US stockpiles.
“The numbers are striking,” Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, told The Washington Post. “The United States absorbed most of the missile defence mission while Israel conserved its own magazines.”
She warned that the US could be left with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors, while production capacity may struggle to replenish supplies quickly enough.
The reported depletion has reportedly triggered concern among allies such as Japan and South Korea, both of which depend heavily on US missile defence capabilities and broader security guarantees against threats from China and North Korea.
Another US official quoted in the report said Washington fired roughly 120 more interceptors than Israel and engaged twice as many Iranian missiles, suggesting the US shouldered a larger operational burden than public narratives may have indicated.
The concerns come as uncertainty persists over the future of tensions with Iran. Officials reportedly warned that if President Donald Trump chooses to resume military action, pressure on US interceptor inventories could intensify further.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon defended the distribution of military responsibilities, saying missile interceptors are only one part of a broader integrated defence system.
“Both Israel and the United States carried the defensive burden equitably,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said, referring to joint operations involving fighter aircraft, missile defence systems and counter-drone capabilities.
The Israeli Embassy in Washington also defended coordination between the two countries, describing Israel as one of America’s closest and most capable security partners.
The report comes as Trump reiterated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping, amid continuing tensions over energy routes and regional security.
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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