The US administration has reassured the public that missile stockpiles remain strong despite extensive use of difficult-to-manufacture weapons during Operation Epic Fury and subsequent military actions. CBS News, citing unnamed sources, reported that much of the US global stockpile of long-range precision missiles has been used during the war.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that by the end of July, the US had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles left, down from 2,330 before the conflict began. CSIS also estimated that around 60% of terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) missiles have been used, according to Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser at CSIS.

The US has supplied Ukraine with significant numbers of Patriot missiles since Russia's 2022 invasion, but as US stocks diminish, Cancian expects the Pentagon to retain remaining missiles.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed reports of a stockpile shortage as a "manufactured story" during a 14 June appearance on CBS' Face the Nation and emphasized efforts to ramp up weapons production.

Former President Trump confronted Hegseth last week over a possible weapons shortfall, according to the Washington Post citing unnamed sources. Trump denied any munitions shortage and declared on his platform Truth Social that "The 'leakers' of these treasonous statements are being hunted down," adding that "Long term jail sentences will be sought!"

The administration acknowledges the challenges in rapidly replacing munitions due to long funding, order, production, and delivery timelines but maintains confidence in the stockpile's sufficiency.

Sources