US Fired 300-Plus Interceptors to Defend Israel, Draining About Half Its THAAD Stock
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 22
US Fired 300-Plus Interceptors to Defend Israel, Draining About Half Its THAAD Stock
5 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 22
About 200 THAAD interceptors and more than 100 Navy SM-3 and SM-6 missiles were used by the US against Iran-fired missiles headed for Israel, far exceeding Israel’s own high-altitude interceptor use.
Fewer than 100 Arrow 3 missiles and about 90 David’s Sling interceptors were fired by Israel, while Iron Dome reportedly maintained a success rate above 90% against thousands of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
Pentagon officials and US allies now fear the heavy drawdown has exposed limited replenishment capacity, with a March congressional study warning THAAD stocks may take years to rebuild at current production rates.
Japan and South Korea are among the most concerned because they rely on US missile defenses against China and North Korea, and Washington had already considered shifting THAAD assets from South Korea to the Middle East.
After using half its THAAD stockpile, can the US still defend allies from threats in Asia?
Is America's costly missile defense strategy creating a new vulnerability for its military?
As interceptors run low, are laser weapons the only affordable solution for future air defense?