The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report showing that it will take the US two to three years to replace the weapons used during the Iran war.
In the first six weeks of the US war against Iran, the Pentagon used significant portions of its advanced interceptors and standoff munitions. CSIS estimates it will take the US a year to rebuild its stockpile of JSSAM and PrSM missiles, two years to replace SM-3 and SM-6 missiles, and three or more years to replenish its Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
CSIS argued that the war against Iran created a vulnerability for the US in East Asia. “The 39-day bombing and air defense campaign against Iran depleted inventories of key US munitions stockpiles,” the report says. “The depleted inventories have created a window of vulnerability for a potential Western Pacific conflict. The time needed to rebuild those inventories has thus become a major concern.”
The shortages of key munitions will create other problems for Washington. Other allies have already made orders for those weapons and will not have to wait longer for delivery. Additionally, Ukraine relies on Western missile defense, including Patriot interceptors. Kiev will likely have a harder time getting countries to give up their Patriots as Washington works to refill its stockpile.
While Trump claims that Iran is nearly defeated, US intelligence assessments leaked to the media say that Tehran retains most of its crucial military capabilities.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to break the ceasefire with Iran and resume the conflict if Tehran does not comply with his demands.
