US depletes key long-range missile stocks in 5-month Iran war
Why it matters: The drawdown of ATACMS and PrSM could weaken US readiness for future crises involving Russia or China.
The US Army has burned through most of its stocks of two key long-range precision missiles during the five-month war with Iran, raising new concerns about military readiness. People familiar with internal data said the Army has used “virtually all” of its Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, and Precision Strike Missiles, known as PrSM. Another person said US Central Command has nearly exhausted the land-based missiles it had at the start of the war and has reloaded from supplies elsewhere. President Donald Trump rejected any suggestion of a shortage, saying the US still has more munitions than it needs and that defense companies are expanding production. Analysts warned that replacing such weapons can take years even as demand rises in conflicts tied to Iran, Ukraine, Russia and China.