The United States' 39-day war with Iran severely depleted its advanced weapons stockpiles, particularly critical standoff and air and missile defense systems, creating a strategic vulnerability. A new Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report details that rebuilding these stocks, including Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missiles (TLAMs), THAAD, and Patriot interceptors, will require three or more years to reach pre-war levels.
The CSIS report, compiled by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park, highlights concerns about rapid munition expenditure, potentially impacting a future conflict with China, which military leaders suggest could invade Taiwan by 2027. Prior to the Iran war, U.S. stockpiles were already degraded by over a year of combat in the Red Sea against Houthi rebels and efforts to defend Israel, alongside support for Ukraine draining Patriot interceptors. During Operation Epic Fury, U.S. forces expended over 1,000 TLAMs against Iran, approximately one-third of the estimated 3,100 pre-war inventory, according to CSIS estimates based on Fiscal Year 2027 Pentagon budget documents.
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