U.S. Military Reportedly Consumed "Almost All" Precision Long-Range Missiles

Reference News Network reported on August 5 According to a Reuters report on August 4, three insiders revealed that during a five-month war with Iran, the U.S. Army has consumed a large portion of its high-precision long-range missile stockpile, raising concerns about the U.S. military's ability to respond to future conflicts.

The report states that these missiles are primarily ground-to-ground weapons of the Army, including the Army Tactical Missile System and Precision Strike Missiles. According to two of the insiders, the U.S. military has used up "almost all" of these types of weapons.

Previously, there had been no reports on the consumption of the Army Tactical Missile System and Precision Strike Missiles. These long-range munitions are a crucial component of the U.S. military's arsenal, capable of delivering precise strikes from a safe distance. The Army Tactical Missile System provided by the U.S. has played a key role in the Ukraine war, enabling Ukrainian forces to strike targets within Russia. Precision Strike Missiles are a newer, more advanced type of missile that will replace the shorter-range Army Tactical Missile System.

One insider stated that the reduction in the stockpile of the Army Tactical Missile System and Precision Strike Missiles reflects the Trump administration's decision to avoid using riskier methods to attack Iranian targets, such as employing manned aircraft to drop bombs.

Analysts say that because these weapons allow the military to strike targets from a considerable distance, they can play a vital role when engaging opponents with strong air defense capabilities. According to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in March, these weapons have been used to strike targets within Iran.

The report notes that the stockpile of Precision Strike Missiles was already low, as it is a relatively new type of munition, but the U.S. military has ordered a large number of these missiles for 2027. The Army stated that the Army Tactical Missile System is being gradually phased out, with production shifting to the newer Precision Strike Missiles.

A report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies last week estimated that between February and July, the U.S. has consumed about 65% of its "Patriot" interceptor missiles, and the stockpile of "THAAD" interceptors has decreased by at least 38% since the start of the war. The "Patriot" and "THAAD" systems can detect and destroy incoming missiles and are among the most effective weapons in the U.S. arsenal. (Translated by Li Sha)