{"id":21604,"date":"2026-07-30T03:29:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T22:29:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=21604"},"modified":"2026-07-30T03:29:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T22:29:34","slug":"us-stockpile-of-patriot-interceptors-diminished-by-some-65-think-tank-estimates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=21604","title":{"rendered":"US stockpile of Patriot interceptors diminished by some 65%, think tank estimates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.csis.org%2Fanalysis%2Frenewed-iran-war-would-test-diminished-interceptor-inventories&amp;data=05%7C02%7CChristopher.Boccia%40abc.com%7C159562773e44443f2d3c08deed954e2a%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639209422677863504%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=MX5QApH06%2Fp%2BwWox7lvIMhpPW6pL4CT5b7zggaB8sgw%3D&amp;reserved=0\" dir=\"ltr\"><u class=\" \">report<\/u><\/a> released this week estimates that U.S. stockpiles of its two critical air defense interceptors are dramatically reduced since combat between the U.S. and Iran began on Feb. 28.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The report, titled &#8220;Renewed Iran War Would Test Diminished Interceptor Inventories,&#8221; updates a previous report from April 8 when the two countries entered a ceasefire.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The U.S. and Iran have consistently traded fire over the last several weeks after both sides acknowledged that a Memorandum of Understanding, which initiated a temporary ceasefire, had collapsed. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would &#8220;<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/International\/live-updates\/iran-live-updates-tehran-progress-made-strait-hormuz?id=135110405&amp;entryId=135205903\" dir=\"ltr\">be hitting [Iran] hard<\/a>&#8221; for an Iranian attack that the U.S. said it intercepted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur \" style=\"padding-bottom:66.43518518518519%\" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/ac7c28e5-9b66-4529-85f3-cf8cede9535f\/patriot-missile-system-01-ht-jef-190510_hpMain_2.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/ac7c28e5-9b66-4529-85f3-cf8cede9535f\/patriot-missile-system-01-ht-jef-190510_hpMain_2.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/ac7c28e5-9b66-4529-85f3-cf8cede9535f\/patriot-missile-system-01-ht-jef-190510_hpMain_2.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/ac7c28e5-9b66-4529-85f3-cf8cede9535f\/patriot-missile-system-01-ht-jef-190510_hpMain_2.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/ac7c28e5-9b66-4529-85f3-cf8cede9535f\/patriot-missile-system-01-ht-jef-190510_hpMain_2.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">The Army test fires a Patriot missile in a recent test, March 27, 2019, at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Jason Cutshaw\/U.S. Army<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The first report found that the U.S. stockpile of Patriot interceptors decreased by 55%. Updated figures &#8212; accounting for a number of conflagrations since the ceasefire &#8212; show the stockpile reduced another 10%, with some 65% of U.S. Patriots now lost, according to findings from CSIS, a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">That&#8217;s as few as 759 America&#8217;s highest-end variety of Patriot missiles in the U.S. stockpile, the analysis says.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The U.S. produces 183 of these interceptors a year and it takes some 3 1\/2 years from when a contract is signed for them to be delivered, according to CSIS.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The U.S. stockpile of THAAD interceptors, its highest-end air defense system that has a longer ranger and higher intercept altitude, have remained level since the ceasefire took hold.<strong class=\"vtkaO \"> <\/strong>During combat between Feb. 28 and April 8, U.S. stocks of THAAD interceptors had dropped by roughly half. Experts say THAADs represent the most difficult air defense munition to replace. <!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">CSIS based its reporting on data from Gulf countries, among other methodologies, to ascertain how much the U.S. has fired, and it appraises the U.S. stockpile based on public congressional and Pentagon budget documents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">The Pentagon is requesting $67 billion in supplemental funding from Congress, some of which would address munitions shortfalls. The president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have said the administration inherited an insufficient inventory because the Biden administration sent arms to Ukraine without replacing them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">During the Biden administration the U.S. provided three Patriot missile batteries from U.S. stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, but it is unclear if that move led to a decrease in U.S. Patriot battery and missile capability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Asked for comment by ABC News, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the U.S. &#8220;has everything it needs to execute&#8221; the president&#8217;s orders.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">\u201cWe have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">ABC News has asked U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) about the status of its stockpiles.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Retired Marine Corps Col. Steve Ganyard, an ABC News contributor, told ABC News Live on Monday that munitions shortages are &#8220;a very serious situation&#8221; that &#8220;is not going to get cured anytime soon.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;We&#8217;ve been shooting so many Patriots, so many THAADs, so many of these exquisite missiles that the industrial base just can&#8217;t catch up and the magazines are going down,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Some of these missiles take two to four years&#8221; to build and deliver.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">&#8220;And if you&#8217;re the Chinese and you&#8217;re thinking, &#8216;If we&#8217;re going to make a move on Taiwan, maybe the time to do it is now,&#8217; because the U.S. is losing [at] a very rapid rate the kinds of missiles that they could shoot against&#8230;China if [China] invaded Taiwan.&#8221;<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">U.S. Pacific Air Forces, the air component of the military&#8217;s command in East Asia, is considering cutting upcoming exercises in the region, said Gen. Kevin Schneider, commander of Pacific Air Forces, to make sure it can &#8220;provide the Air Force options for other parts of the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Schneider said senior leaders would take a &#8220;hard look at our exercises&#8221; and judge which ones were most important for force readiness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \">\u201cI think we\u2019ve done a pretty good job of identifying, amongst commanders, where we\u2019re going to take risk or how we manage the risks as we prioritize efforts in Central Command region right now,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report released this week estimates that U.S. stockpiles of its two critical air defense interceptors are dramatically reduced since combat between the U.S. and Iran began on Feb. 28. The report, titled &#8220;Renewed Iran War Would Test Diminished Interceptor Inventories,&#8221; updates a previous report from April 8&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/ac7c28e5-9b66-4529-85f3-cf8cede9535f\/patriot-missile-system-01-ht-jef-190510_hpMain_2_16x9.jpg?w=1600","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abc-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}