The Washington Post reported that the United States’ efforts in defending Israel during the recent conflict with Iran has significantly brought down its stockpile of advanced missiles.
U.S officials, who chose to remain anonymous, told the outlet that the United States launched more than 200 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors to aid Israel, along with over 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors fired from naval ships in the eastern Mediterranean.
As per the officials, the military operation has depleted almost half of the Pentagon’s interceptor inventory, leading to doubts over Washington’s ability to meet secuirty requirements elsewhere.
The report said Israel allegedly used fewer inceptors in comparison, launching less than 100 Arrow interceptors and only around 90 David’s Sling interceptors.
The Washington Post spoke to military analysts who said that the estimates point out the scale of military coordination between the United States and Israel.
Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, said, “The numbers are striking. The United States absorbed most of the missile defense mission while Israel conserved its own magazines. Even if the operational logic was sound, the United States is left with roughly 200 THAAD interceptors and a production line that can’t keep pace with demand.”
According to the report, U.S allies such as Japan and South Korea, who depend on the country for military support to combat threats from China and North Korea, are worried about the depleted inventory.
Another U.S official told the newspaper, “In total, the U.S shot around 120 more interceptors and engaged twice as many Iranian missiles.”
Both the Pentagon and the Israeli government have come out with statements, defending the coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv in the joint-operation against Iran.
“Ballistic missile interceptors are just one tool in a vast network of systems and capabilities that comprise a layered and integrated air defense network,” said Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell “Both Israel and the United States carried the defensive burden equitably during Operation Epic Fury, which saw both countries employ fighter aircraft, counter-UAS systems, and various other advanced air and missile defense capabilities with maximal effectiveness.”
The Israeli Embassy in Washington said in its statement, “Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury were coordinated at the highest and closest levels, to the benefit of both countries and their allies. The U.S has no other partner with the military willingness, readiness, shared interests, and capabilities of Israel.”
