▲ US Patriot mobile launcher
The core ammunition stockpiles used by the United States in the war with Iran are reaching "dangerously low levels," according to a Bloomberg Economics report published on the 11th (local time).
Bloomberg Economics is a global macroeconomic research service that provides data, analysis, and forecasts to Bloomberg Terminal subscribers.
According to the report, the U.S. Department of Defense faces a "severe shortage" of air defense interceptor missiles that are difficult to replace, while supplies of long-range missiles remain "tight."
The report analyzes that the U.S. has fired more than half of its "PAC-3 MSE" interceptors—the highest-performing variant of the Patriot system—and about 40% of its THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) interceptor missiles while defending against Iranian retaliatory attacks.
The U.S. military also expended large quantities of various long-range missiles, known as "standoff strike" missiles, during the initial days of the conflict.
In particular, Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) are assessed to have likely been depleted.
The report notes, "The U.S. is not entirely out of missiles, but it is running low on the right ones for the job—and the remaining options all carry trade-offs." It adds, "The war has consumed key weapons faster than they can be purchased and produced, creating a generational gap in U.S. air defense interceptor and high-end long-range munitions inventories that cannot be overcome in the short term."
The report was authored by Bloomberg Economics defense lead Bicka Wasser and Courtney McBride.
While U.S. missile inventory figures are classified, this Bloomberg Economics report was compiled based on Pentagon budget documents and public reports on weapons stockpiles.
In response to the report, Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell rebuffed the claims, stating, "The assertion that the U.S. is running low on munitions is false." He added, "The U.S. military remains the most powerful fighting force on the planet, and we possess everything necessary to strike at the time and place of the president's choosing."
The munitions running low are among the most essential ones utilized in the ongoing conflict.
During the war with Iran, the U.S. military has struck more than 13,000 targets, while Iran has countered with months of drone and ballistic missile attacks across the Gulf region.
The report pointed out that replenishing the depleted munitions will take years and cost billions of dollars, a development closely watched by adversaries such as China.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Congress that the war with Iran has cost 37.5 billion dollars (approx. 52.97 trillion KRW), though some analyses suggest the actual figure could be higher.
The 67 billion dollar (approx. 94.65 trillion KRW) emergency funding request submitted by the Department of Defense for this fiscal year includes 18.2 billion dollars (approx. 25.71 trillion KRW) to replenish core munitions expended against Iran.
President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth have largely dismissed reports of ammunition shortages, maintaining that the U.S. military has what it needs.
President Trump recently told reporters that the U.S. has virtually unlimited supplies of "certain very powerful kinds of ammunition," adding, "Others are a little bit tight, and we're getting them day by day."
Analyses also suggest that the ammunition shortage has been influencing recent U.S. military operational decisions.
Last month, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine reportedly briefed President Trump during a meeting that resuming strikes against Iran would heighten concerns over core U.S. ammunition stockpiles.
However, the Bloomberg Economics report analyzed that U.S. inventories of unguided bombs appear to remain plentiful, and should President Trump decide to resume attacks on Iran, the military could utilize them to sustain strikes.
At the same time, unguided bombs must be dropped from closer ranges, which could expose U.S. forces to greater risks of counterattacks.
Wasser and McBride noted in the report that "munitions availability" will increasingly become a crucial factor in determining what operations the U.S. can conduct while keeping risks at an acceptable level, pointing out that "Trump can continue or expand the war, but now he must bear heavier trade-offs."
For instance, if the U.S. depletes scarce interceptor missiles in strikes against Iran, it must accept increased risks to U.S. forces and allies.
Choosing to use unguided bombs, on the other hand, escalates risks to troops on the ground.
Furthermore, drawing weapons away from other theaters to deploy them to the Iranian front would inevitably weaken deterrence in those respective regions.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.