As of late September 2026, the United States has experienced significant losses in its stockpiles of high-tech missiles due to active combat operations against Iran. According to The Wall Street Journal, American military forces have launched over a thousand Tomahawk missiles in the past two months, which constitutes about one-third of pre-war stockpiles.
Expenditure on Munitions
The war with Iran has proven to be extremely costly for the US, with estimates indicating that approximately half of the Tomahawk missile stocks and up to two-thirds of Patriot missiles have been utilized. This has raised serious concerns regarding the Pentagon's ability to maintain an adequate level of readiness for its armed forces.
Production Capacity and Investments
Currently, US production capabilities can only produce slightly over 400 Tomahawk missiles per year, which clearly does not meet the demands arising from the conflict. Major Pentagon contractors are already investing billions of dollars to expand their production capacities; however, new munitions will only be available for deployment after a certain period.
Prospects for Stockpile Recovery
Restoring the stockpiles of Tomahawk and Patriot missiles may take years, as the Pentagon continues to ramp up production. This creates risks for national security, as the US may find itself in a situation where its military capabilities are limited during a prolonged conflict.